Dr Stephanie Hicks
GP
GP advises on the importance of ‘knowing your numbers’ as part of a proactive, preventative approach to ageing well.
Ageing well means prioritising your quality of life as you get older, protecting your physical and mental health so that you can continue to enjoy doing the things you love for as long as possible. Dr Stephanie Hicks, GP, explains what this means to her, as someone who is actively involved in health screening.
“We see a lot of people in their 70s who have high blood pressure. Think about the pressure in your boiler might still work when the pressure is high, but it is under more strain. It’s the same with your heart,” she adds.
High cholesterol can also go unnoticed, but a build-up in your arteries can lead to heart disease, angina and stroke. “I would advise everyone over the age of 55 to get their blood pressure, blood sugars and cholesterol checked every year,” insists Dr Hicks. “Anybody with a family history or comorbidities would be risk stratified, making check-ups even more regular.”
Part of ageing well
“Ageing well is about maintaining your health and quality of life for as long as possible, while staying active and keeping your body and mind functioning well,” she says. “Age is just a number. I see extremely fit and well 80-year-olds and frail younger people. It all depends on how you look after your health and the lifestyle choices you make.”
Tracking your baseline
While regular activity, eating well, sleeping well and managing stress effectively all help to promote longevity and wellbeing, according to Dr Hicks, it’s also about ‘knowing your numbers.’ Have a baseline understanding of your blood pressure, cholesterol, blood sugar and even weight. ‘Checking your blood pressure and cholesterol to keep track of them is power; if you know your numbers, you can do something to bring them down.’
Ageing well is about maintaining your health and quality of life for as long as possible
Heart and metabolic health
Protecting your heart and metabolic health becomes increasingly important as we age, particularly because some of the biggest risk factors can remain unseen. “A lot of people don’t realise that illnesses don’t have symptoms until they are very serious,” explains Dr Hicks.
“We see a lot of people who have no idea they have high blood pressure. Think about the pressure in your boiler might still work when the pressure is high, but it is under more strain. It’s the same with your heart,” she adds.
Prevention is better than cure
Preventative screening is one of the most effective ways to identify potential health risks early, so be proactive. Dr Hicks emphasises: “It’s never too late; if you have missed a screening invitation, just reach out to your GP, and they will reissue it.”
She adds: “I see people in their 70s and 80s make small lifestyle changes, which make a meaningful difference to their quality of life. With work on their abilities. If you can walk around the block, walk around the block. Do as much as you can for as long as you are able.” Getting older doesn’t have to mean slowing down. With the right advice, checks and support, you can stay proactive about your health and wellbeing.
