Medical Checks

We provide convenient, uncomplicated screenings designed to identify the most common risk factors for cardiovascular disease and diabetes – a “Personal Health WOF” for your team.

“An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.”

When it comes to diabetes and cardiovascular disease this couldn’t be more true. Early detection can help prevent complications and assist in preserving good health.

Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of mortality in New Zealand accounting for 40% of all deaths annually. High blood pressure is an important indicator of cardiovascular disease and can be detected with a simple test. At least 1-in-5 New Zealanders has high blood pressure, but most don’t know it. Because high blood pressure itself is usually asymptomatic, regular checkups are a crucial component of preventative health care.

Diabetes affects about 200,000 New Zealanders, but the Ministry of Health estimates that only half of these people have been diagnosed. Despite having little or no symptoms, undiagnosed diabetes can be dangerous, causing damage to organs and blood vessels. People with diabetes are between two and four times more likely to have a heart attack or stroke than those without. Fifty-percent of people with diabetes die of cardiovascular disease.

So, why are so many Kiwis going undiagnosed? Three reasons that come up frequently are: cost, access and inconvenience. These issues can all be solved with an onsite medical check.

How it works:

MedCheck is a 15-minute individual appointment with a Registered Nurse, specifically designed to detect indicators of cardiovascular disease and diabetes.

A MedCheck tests and records the following:

• Pulse
• Blood Pressure
• Height and Weight
• Body Mass Index
• Total Cholesterol
• Glucose

A written record of the results and what they might mean to the patient are given to the individual at the time of the consultation.

Recommendations are then given by the nurse the individual with all information kept on a secure database for future reference. The data from your entire workforce is collated into a report and sent to management with a summary of results identifying any trends or problems that your organisation may then wish to address.

Our tests:

Blood Pressure (B/P)

Blood Pressure is an indicator of how hard your heart has to work to pump blood around your body. High B/P is not a disease in itself, but it is an important risk factor for heart disease and stroke. Represented by two numbers (e.g. 130/80), the first number represents the systolic B/P which is the peak pressure in your blood vessels when the heart beats. The second number is diastolic B/P – the pressure in your blood vessels when your heart rests between beats. Both numbers are important and can be controlled through proper diet and lifestyle.

Body Mass Index (BMI)

Body Mass Index is a calculation to determine if you are a healthy weight for your height. The BMI calculation divides an adult’s weight in kilograms by their height in metres-squared. A healthy BMI for a non-Maori or Pacific person is 18.5 to 25. For a Maori or Pacific person, a healthy BMI is 18.5 to 26. A high BMI increases your risk of having a heart attack or stroke and your risk of developing diabetes.

Total Cholesterol (TC)

Cholesterol is a fatty material carried in the blood. Total Cholesterol is a measure of the amount of fats in your blood at a given time. If your cholesterol is too high, it can build up in your artery walls causing them to become narrowed and increasing your risk of having a heart attack or stroke. You can manage your cholesterol level through diet and lifestyle.

Glucose

Glucose is an essential source of energy for the brain and body.  Glucose testing measures the level of sugar in your blood. Diabetes occurs when your body cannot create enough insulin to maintain blood glucose levels within the normal range. If your glucose is too high, you should see a GP who will organise further testing to determine an accurate diabetic status.