Six Pack

Six key health guidelines

Blood Pressure (BP)

Your heart is like the engine of a car and your BP is like the revs.

If you have high BP this means that your heart is revving too high for too long. Having high BP is like driving your car around in 1st gear everywhere you go. If you have a high BP you need to get it checked regularly by a doctor/nurse. Your heart, brain and kidneys are under too much strain if your BP remains high and you could have a heart attack, stroke or kidney failure.

Cholesterol

Having high cholesterol in your blood is like having dirty fuel in your car.

It causes blockages in the fuel pipes which in the body is the blood vessels around the heart and brain. These blockages cause heart attacks and strokes, therefore it is important to know what the level of your cholesterol is. To find this out you see your doctor/nurse and ask for a heart Warrant Of Fitness(WOF).

Nutrition

The quality of the fuel we put in our vehicles will affect its performance.

You would not put cheap quality petrol in your car. Just like a car, if we put poor quality fuel in our body over time it will start to run poorly. You need to think about a diet, which has good brain, good heart fuel and good kidney fuel in it.

Being active

Just like your car it is important to have your body getting out and about regularly. If its not it will lose its performance and will start to run poorly.

Get the whanau to join in and get out for a spin around the park, the neigbourhood, beach , just about anywhere.

Diabetes

Diabetes is largely a silent disease, much like rust in a car. It is not until it is widespread that it becomes obvious. The best thing to do is to have a mechanic (the doctor or nurse) to have a close look. The best way to manage diabetes is to avoid developing it. If you have diabetes then it is important to reduce the effect of having it.

Written by Dr Lance O'Sullivan

Auahi Kore

Smoking is like putting diesel into a petrol car. It will work for a while but every time you use it, you get a lesser performance from your vehicle-your body.

Smoking is the leading cause of cancer and also contributes to heart attacks.

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Do you have a question regarding the above information or maybe you have a general medical question? Then ask Dr Lance O'Sullivan.

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James getting a heart check

Heart Check procedure

What happens at a heart check? It starts by talking about how you feel, what you eat, how much exercise you get and about your home and work life. Then it’s all about having your pulse measured, listening to your breathing, your heart and measuring your body.

What will it cost? Less than what you think. It could even be free.

How long will it take? About 30 minutes – then you know where you’re at.
Who will do it? The Nurse and the Doctor or a Community Health Worker.
Will it hurt? No
Do I have to take my clothes off? No
Will I have to sit on some scales? No
Will I have to do some exercises? No
.

Ditch the sweet soft drinks Make sure there's always carrots Suck it up Get Real
Nothing makes you Chuck a handful of mixed veggies Everyday move till your lungs Go to your GP or Health worker
fatter faster in with your dinner are working overtime get a check up, know where you stand

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Six key health guidelines

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