A doctor has shared five important health markers that everybody should know
A doctor has revealed five crucial health facts that everyone should be aware of – but most people don’t know. Dr Luke Powles, Associate Clinical Director at Bupa Health Clinics, says that this lack of basic knowledge could lead millions to overlook vital early indicators of severe medical conditions.
Dr Powles stressed that all adults should know their weight, while those facing elevated risks – individuals over 40, those who are overweight, or who smoke and consume alcohol heavily – should also know their typical blood pressure measurement and cholesterol level. Everyone should be conscious of their cardiac health and diabetes risk.
“Knowing your key health markers can help you take control of your health and wellbeing,” Dr. Powles said. “When it comes to your health, knowledge is power.”
The alert follows research involving 2,000 adults, which exposed a lack of health awareness across Britain. It found that merely 35% understand what constitutes a normal blood pressure reading for them, only 7% are familiar with their heart health score, and just 12% recognise their typical maximum heart rate.
Additionally, 29% were unable to state how much they weigh, 51% couldn’t identify their current prescription medications, and 59% remain unaware of their blood type, reports the Mirror.
Nevertheless, 56% of respondents indicated that maintaining good health is ‘very important’ to them, with 76% asserting they approach it seriously. While a substantial majority (82%) believe knowledge is power, only half have undergone a proactive blood pressure check and merely 29% have had their cholesterol tested.
Among those who have had an unprompted medical examination, 30% reported it revealed a condition they were previously unaware of, including anaemia, diabetes, high cholesterol, and even cancer, which might otherwise have resulted in delayed treatment.
The study, conducted via OnePoll, also found that nearly one in four (23%) adults frequently or constantly feel anxious about their health, with Gen Z identified as the most worried generation.
Due to their concerns, 38% of Gen Z adults have resorted to self-diagnosis by looking up symptoms online, compared to only 25% who arranged an appointment with a GP. Others have consulted friends, family, health apps, wearables, or even AI for advice.
Dr Luke Powles from Bupa Health Clinics, which provides health assessments to inform people about their wellbeing and how to support it, said: “Knowing your numbers and what is going on inside your body is often helpful in picking up on changes to your health and early warning signs, which could prevent them from becoming bigger problems.
“Prevention is key when it comes to our health, so understanding and having proactive health checks can make a real difference to staying fit and well.
“If you do notice a change or something out of the ordinary, please do make sure you speak to a healthcare professional.”
Five areas of health everyone should monitor:
Blood pressure
High blood pressure is often a “silent killer” with no warning signs, leading to life-threatening conditions like a heart attack or stroke. A healthy reading is around 120/80mmHg.
Weight
Being overweight or obese increases the risk of conditions like cancer and diabetes, as well as putting added strain on joints. Regular self-weighing helps track changes.
Heart health
Poor heart health can cause both short- and long-term issues. Lifestyle factors are key, but heart rhythm screenings and a QRisk3 heart health score assessment can detect irregular heartbeats and estimate heart disease risk.
Cholesterol level
High cholesterol often has no symptoms but can lead to serious problems like heart attack and stroke. A blood test is necessary to assess the breakdown of ‘good’ and ‘bad’ cholesterol.
Diabetes risk
Type 2 diabetes can present no specific symptoms in the early stages and greatly increases the risk of strokes and heart attacks. A blood test screens for diabetes, and a Qdiabetes score can identify future risk.
