What you need to know about lifestyle diseases and Covid-19

AS coronavirus infection numbers continue to rise in the country, South Africans suffering from high blood pressure, diabetes and obesity are being encouraged to be proactive and take control of their health.

This as Health Minister, Dr Zweli Mkhize, raised concerns about the large group of South Africans suffering from these lifestyle diseases which have been the ‘most common underlying medical conditions of those who have died of Covid-19 to date’.

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‘The most commonly associated comorbidities are hypertension (or high blood pressure), diabetes and obesity,’ he said.

‘These risks are important to take into account because they are serious factors when it comes to the conduct of the Covid-19 infection.’

Principal Officer of Bonitas Medical Fund, Lee Callakoppen, said knowing one’s numbers will help people manage their health better and ensure these lifestyle diseases are under control, especially during these difficult times.

Bonitas has developed a Covid-19 Hub on their website to help keep South Africans updated on the pandemic.

The fund has been providing high-risk members with chronic conditions, such as diabetes and hypertension, with hand sanitisers which are delivered to their door.

A Rapid Response Unit (RRU) has also been established, linked to the call centre, to offer advice and support to members concerned about contracting Covid-19.

As an added bonus, the fund’s virtual care initiative, available on the Bonitas mobile app, allows members and non-members to consult with a GP from their home.

Why you need to keep your finger on the pulse of your wellness numbers:

Weight and BMI (body mass index)
Almost 70% of women and 40% of men are overweight or obese.
A body mass indicator calculation checks if you’re at a healthy weight.
Calculate your BMI by dividing your weight in kilograms (kg) by your height in metres (m).
Then divide the answer by your height again to get your BMI.

Diabetes
More than 4.6 million people in South Africa have diabetes.
Diabetes is a disease that occurs when your blood glucose, also called blood sugar, is too high.
There are two main types of diabetes – Type 1 and Type 2.
They are different conditions but are both serious and need to be treated and managed properly.
Type 1 diabetes occurs when the pancreas stops producing insulin. It usually starts very quickly and in younger people. If you have Type 1 diabetes,   you need insulin injections to survive, as well as having a carefully balanced food intake and exercise programme.
Type 2, formerly called adult-onset or non-insulin-dependent diabetes, occurs when the pancreas makes too little insulin or your body can’t use the insulin effectively. It usually develops in adulthood and is often caused by being overweight and not exercising. 
Approximately 85 – 90% of all people with Type 2 diabetes are undiagnosed. This can result in serious damage to parts of the body and lead to blindness, heart attack/stroke, kidney failure, impotence and amputation, so it’s vital to be checked.

Blood pressure
In South Africa, more than 1 in 3 adults live with high blood pressure.
Blood pressure is the pressure of blood in your arteries – the blood vessels that carry blood away from your heart.
Blood pressure numbers mean the following: The first (or top) number is your systolic blood pressure. It is the highest level your blood pressure reaches when your heart beats.
The bottom figure is your diastolic blood pressure and is the lowest pressure exerted as your heart relaxes between beats.
High blood pressure or hypertension is when blood pressure stays elevated over time.
Hypertension is often known as the ‘silent killer’ since almost 33% of people who have it, don’t know it. The only way to know if you have high blood pressure is to have yours measured.

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