A simple but essential test.
40 years is the ideal age to prevent and anticipate. “Many chronic diseases, such as diabetes or hypertension, develop slowly, sometimes without the slightest symptom”explains Dr. Alexis Roullaud, general practitioner in Saint-Etienne and medical coordinator of Ramsay Santé medical centers. For example, blood sugar, or blood sugar levels, is a simple but essential test. For what ? “Because diabetes is an insidious disease that can remain silent for years before leading serious complications (relevant kidney, eyes, heart, etc.), continues the doctor. In France, almost 20 % of diabetics ignore their condition. 2, especially if you present risk factors such as overweight or obesity, or family history of diabetes “.
The test is done via a blood test (fasting blood sugar), or by “capillary blood sugar” (sampling of a drop of blood, at the end of a finger). A fasting blood sugar greater than 1 g/L should alert you. Good news: an adapted lifestyle (balanced diet, regular physical activity) can often reverse the trend before it is too late! A complete assessment is not limited to blood sugar. “We can complete it with a lipid assessment (by also blood test), which will measure your LDL cholesterol (” bad cholesterol “), HDL (” good cholesterol “) and your triglycerides”completes Dr. Roullaud. An anomaly? Adopt the right food reflexes to avoid concerns, especially at the cardiovascular level.
We can also make a spirometry, a test that measures the respiratory capacity and the functionality of the lungs. It is useful before 40 years for smokers or exposed pollution or irritants. “This test makes it possible to detect in particular early signs of COPD (chronic obstructive broncho-pneumopathy). COPD often evolves slowly and silently. Early spirometry makes it possible to intervene before severe symptoms are developing”assures the doctor. But there is another test which concerns all adults aged 40 and is far too neglected, it is the test of hypertension screening. One in three adults is often affected without knowing it. “A measure of blood pressure makes it possible to identify hypertension, which increases the risks of stroke and heart disease.”
Finally, an electrocardiogram (ECG) before 40 years can be useful for detecting certain heart disease, such as rhythm disorders (arrhythmias), gone unnoticed. If you have family history or risk factors (stress, tobacco, high blood pressure, overweight), do not miss this exam, from 35 years old.
