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This article is brought to you by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana.
For many people, the warning signs show up quietly – a little more fatigue, a little less stamina to handle daily activities. Maybe a quick glance for something to hold on to when walking. It can be easy to dismiss these as the effects of stress, overexertion or aging. Yet, they can also be signs of chronic conditions such as high blood pressure or high blood sugar.
“Both of those can lead to cardiovascular disease,” noted Dr. Dee Barfield, chief medical officer for Louisiana Blue. “High blood pressure is often called ‘the silent killer’ because you don’t usually know it’s high until it is measured. When I’ve had patients who have been diagnosed with high blood pressure and begin treatment for it, they’ll often tell me that they didn’t realize how bad they felt before. It’s a stark improvement.”
Similarly, Dr. Barfield said high blood sugar can go undetected for years. Studies show that most cases of Type 2 diabetes begin about seven years before diagnosis.
“During that time, you can start to see damage to blood vessels, and people become more prone to a stroke, a heart attack or kidney damage,” Dr. Barfield said.
The good news is that there are several steps people can take to identify these underlying conditions, take medication to limit or reverse the impacts and make lifestyle changes that will lead to better outcomes and overall improved well-being.
“It all starts with an annual wellness visit,” Dr. Barfield said. “Those are the opportunities to detect and diagnose a condition and change your health trajectory if something is caught early. These visits are when doctors will screen for these conditions and help you make a treatment plan if something is identified.”
Dr. Barfield said modern medications can begin to improve a patient’s blood pressure or blood sugar in as little as one week. Newer medications are often easier to tolerate, with fewer side effects and positive impacts that last longer.
When these prescriptions are combined with lifestyle changes – such as reducing sugar intake, quitting smoking and incorporating more physical activity – Dr. Barfield said patients can significantly reduce their risk of developing cardiovascular disease and even overcome genetic predispositions to heart problems.
“We can’t underestimate the difference that increased physical activity can make. It can be as simple as walking. If you can get 30 minutes of exercise a day five days a week, that can sometimes do as much good as some medications. You may still need medication, but you might be able to take less of it than you otherwise would,” she said. “Exercise can also help with depression and anxiety. Just the act of getting outside, getting fresh air and moving around helps the body work on itself in multiple ways.”
While establishing a rapport with a primary care physician and keeping up with annual wellness visits are key to preventing serious problems, Dr. Barfield said people shouldn’t hesitate to make an appointment if they have more acute symptoms. These can include jaw or chest tightness, which can sometimes move into the neck; unexplained nausea or dizziness; or shortness of breath.
“Anyone who experiences those should be checked out, no matter your age or health status,” she said. “Some of these are not considered classic symptoms of heart problems. I’ve seen women ignore signs because they don’t think it’s a big deal or they need to take care of others and will worry about themselves later. We also see cardiovascular issues in younger adults. It’s more likely if they have a family history of heart disease, are a smoker or have co-morbidity conditions like obesity or diabetes. Young people think they are pretty invincible, which is why they sometimes don’t seek treatment soon enough.”
To ensure people of all ages receive the timely health care they need, Louisiana Blue has numerous resources available, including nurses and other health coaches who can guide individuals through programs to stop smoking, manage diabetes, find a primary care provider or improve nutrition. Louisiana Blue members do not pay anything to work with a health coach. Visit www.lablue.com/managingcare to learn more.
“Our people are here to help you navigate the health care system and find the support you need to be successful,” Dr. Barfield said.