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BUSINESS NEWS - In support of World Heart Day, celebrated annually on Thursday, 29 September, Life Bay View Private Hospital in Mossel Bay offered free health checks at the hospital that day in an effort to create awareness around heart conditions and to encourage healthy lifestyles.
Blood pressure, cholesterol and blood glucose (sugar) tests were provided to 130 members of the community.
PHOTO GALLERY: Life Bay View Private Hospital
Anyone who was deemed to require further medical treatment was advised to consult with their general practitioner or specialist for further consultation.
The aim of the outreach was to encourage the community to get to know their “numbers” to prevent and reduce the risk of heart disease.
As a further awareness and reminder, the hospital participated in the 2022 World Heart Day light-up by displaying two red, heart-shaped lights on one of the exterior hospital walls facing the Bay – an attractive display which created much conversation in the community.
Dr Dave Harris, cardiothoracic surgeon at the hospital, explains what the heart health risk factors are and how to improve heart health:
Those who are at risk
People with a family history of heart disease, smokers, diabetics, people with high blood pressure and cholesterol and obesity.
- Some patients develop symptoms post-Covid.
- People living with risk factors without being aware of them - either born with them or developed them through the years.
- Risk factors are higher for men of over 45 years and women over 50 years of age.
- When to seek immediate help
When a severe pressure in the middle of the chest and/or shortness of breath is experienced.
Dr Harris recommends that anyone suffering from recurrent or persistent troubling chest pain visits their doctor or nearest emergency unit for a proper medical assessment. The cause of chest pains can range from serious to harmless, with the most common types being caused by heart attack, angina, muscle strain, infection and indigestion.
Life Bayview Private Hospital invests in cardiac care
The hospital recently invested R23 million in enhancing its cardiac care with a brand-new, state of the art cardiac catheterisation laboratory (Cathlab).
The facility is a specialised area, where minimally invasive tests and advanced cardiac procedures to diagnose and treat cardiovascular disease are performed by cardiologists. The cathlab boasts the newest technology and allows for increased image quality of the angiogram, which enables even more accurate placing of devices such as stents; potentially shorter procedure times for patients; enhanced holistic infection control; and the ability to accommodate heavier patients - up to 280kg in weight.
The new cathlab increases the visualisation of arteries, vessels and devices to achieve better patient and clinical outcomes.
In addition, Life Bay View Private Hospital has a 24 hour emergency unit which is fully equipped to handle any medical emergency. Patients are cared for by the team of emergency healthcare workers who ensure that every patient is treated according to the urgency as per the international triage coding system.
“Life Bay View Private Hospital is perfectly positioned to care for the community of Mossel Bay and surrounds. We remain committed to the provision of world class care to our patients – whether resident in and around Mossel Bay or visiting our beautiful area,” says Nevil Vlok, hospital manager.
“It is important to keep up to date with regular health checks as advised by your doctor and to put your health first.
"Community awareness activities such as this one, remind us all that we need to continue to put our health first, and when we need additional healthcare, we have hospitals and healthcare workers on our doorstep,” he added.
Life Bay View Private Hospital, is a 147-bed facility which aims to deliver a special brand of world-class healthcare to its patients.
The combination of high-quality treatment, excellent facilities and a focus on the personal needs of the patient help this hospital achieve the level of care all patients deserve.
Life Bay View Private Hospital has state-of-the-art diagnostic and monitoring technology in its various units, which include an accident and emergency unit, five theatres, an intensive care unit, cathlab, neonatal intensive care unit and a maternity wing.
Through their ongoing quality training, hospital employees are able to deliver excellent healthcare and embrace the principles of empathy, ethics, excellence and empowerment.It is important to know your numbers.
Here is some information to help:
- Blood pressure
The ideal blood pressure reading is around 120/80mmHg. Blood pressure higher than 140/90mmHg is classified as high blood pressure or hypertension, while blood pressure over 130/85mmHg is called pre-hypertension.
- Improve your blood pressure
Lifestyle changes to control blood pressure include reducing salt intake, eating more fruit, vegetables and dairy, increasing physical activity, weight loss and stopping smoking.
Cholesterol
- The ideal numbers
If tests measure elevated total cholesterol (greater than 5mmol/L), further laboratory tests are needed to determine the type of increased cholesterol and the associated risks.
- Improve your cholesterol levels
Lifestyle changes to improve cholesterol levels include changing the amount and types of fats in the diet, reducing sugary and refined starches, increasing activity weight loss and smoking cessation.
- Blood glucose
Abnormally elevated blood glucose can be a sign of insulin resistance/glucose intolerance or diabetes. In some cases, central obesity, raised blood glucose, high blood pressure and abnormal cholesterol levels are present in the same person. This is a condition known as metabolic syndrome and it’s an important risk factor for cardiovascular disease.
- The ideal numbers
An ideal value is less than 8mmol/L. Caution should be taken to interpret this if done within an hour after a very starchy or sugary meal. A level above 11mmol/L is indicative of diabetes. A fasting blood glucose test is typically done in the morning after an overnight fast. This provides a clearer picture and an ideal value should be less than 6mmol/L. A value between 6 and 7mmol/L can point to glucose intolerance.
- Improve your glucose levels
Treatment for insulin resistance may require medication in addition to lifestyle and dietary changes.
Weight status
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), obesity rates are rapidly increasing in the African region, as in most parts of the world. Central weight distribution is a greater risk factor for cardiovascular disease and metabolic syndrome than general obesity, therefore waist circumference is a useful diagnostic tool.
- The ideal numbers
The ideal BMI ranges from 18.5 to 24.9. A BMI of 25 to 29.9 indicates that you’re overweight, and if it’s 30 and over you’re obese. Waist circumference measurements of greater than 80cm and 94cm identify overweight females and males respectively.
- Reduce your weight
Regular exercise and a balanced diet are key, and it is important to make lifestyle changes that will support good health.
The information is shared on condition that readers will make their own determination, including seeking advice from a healthcare professional. Life Healthcare Group Ltd does not accept any responsibility for any loss or damage suffered by the reader as a result of the information provided.
About Life Healthcare Group
Life Healthcare is a global people-centred, diversified healthcare organisation listed on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange.
Life Healthcare has over 38 years’ experience in the South African private healthcare sector, and currently operates 66 healthcare facilities in southern Africa. Services include acute hospital care, acute physical rehabilitation, acute mental healthcare, renal dialysis, oncology, imaging and occupational health and wellness services.
The group owns Alliance Medical Group, the leading independent provider of medical imaging services (MRI, CT and PETCT scans) within the UK and Europe. See https://www.lifehealthcare.co.za/ or https://alliancemedical.info/.
Tina Luckhoff - Pathcare: marketing and client liaison; Amanda Shelver - manager, Wisdom Security at Life Bay View Private Hospital; Sister Christie Strauss - Life Bay View; Nancy Ekkerd - marketing and communications coordinator, Life Bay View; Kinza Hussein - Heart and Stroke Foundation of South Africa; Sister Sharna Siemens - Life Bay View; Sonnika Visser – Pathcare; marketing and client liaison; and Nevil Vlok - manager, Life Bay View.
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