Dr Chris explains how to stay healthy in older age
Dr Chris is celebrating his birthday - so how does our doctor keep so healthy at the age of 74?
"Your lifestyle dictates your death style. Six of my male friends are dead, and it was lifestyle issues - smoking, drinking, obesity. Know your numbers! Blood pressure, cholesterol, blood sugar."
Dr Chris
What is cholesterol?
Cholesterol is a fatty substance that circulates in the bloodstream and is vital to every cell in the body.
Dr Chris says: “Cholesterol deposits on the inside of the arteries and when built up too much it narrows the arteries which causes clogging. It's only nasty and severe when the levels are increased, that is when people are more prone to heart disease and strokes.”
What is the level we should be at? The level for healthy adults in the UK should be below 5mmol/L (millimoles per litre)
How can we lower it? Cholesterol needs to be controlled by restricting your intake of animal fat based foods such as butter, full fat milk and processed meats and of course exercise and controlling your weight.
Why will lowering the levels help life expectancy? Reducing the deposits in your coronary arteries allows them to open up and get more blood flowing to the heart and brain, meaning a reduced risk of a major incident.
What is blood sugar?
Blood sugar, or glucose, is the main sugar found in blood. Glucose is a simple sugar and approximately 4 grams of glucose are present in the blood of a 70-kilogram human at all times. The body gets glucose from the food we eat. This sugar is an important source of energy and provides nutrients to the body's organs, muscles and nervous system.
Dr Chris says: “Our bodies try to keep our sugar levels as low as possible. If it’s not kept under control, people can face diseases such as gangrene due to legs and feet not getting enough circulation.”
What is the level we should be at? Normal blood sugar levels for an adult without diabetes should be between 4.0 to 5.4 mmol/L and up to 7.8 mmol/L (140 mg/dL) 2 hours after eating.
How can we lower it? Watch your diet and make sure you’re reading the labels on things you buy to check the sugar levels.
Why will lowering the levels help life expectancy? If you stay at a lower level then you don’t face the consequences. Your body tries to repair itself naturally, but it can’t if you don’t give it the chance due to having an unhealthy body.
What is blood pressure?
Blood pressure is the pressure of circulating blood on the walls of blood vessels. Most of this pressure is due to work done by the heart, pumping blood through the circulatory system.
Dr Chris says: “When you get your blood pressure measured there are two numbers. The top reading is systolic which is the level at which the heart contracts and the second number is diastolic which is the rate at which the heart relaxes and pushes pressure into the arteries.”
What is the level we should be at? Ideally, adults should all have a blood pressure below 120 over 80 (120/80). If your blood pressure is above 120/80mmHg (millimeters of mercury), it's suggested that you take steps to lower it.
How can we lower it? There is medication for it, however this depends on how severe your levels are and what your doctor thinks is best for you. It’s the usual factors that will lower it, such as exercise which actually opens your arteries to reduce pressure. Lowering your stress will help massively as well, but that’s easier said than done.
Why will lowering the levels help life expectancy? Having a normal or lower level of blood pressure reduces the risk of things such as heart failure. So having a healthier heart means you should in fact live longer.