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Health Screening

Please enquire in store about making an appointment for the various tests.
The tests are explained in greater detail below:

Cholesterol Test
Cholesterol is a hard, waxy substance and is one of the main fats found in the blood. The two main types are the harmful LDL (low-density lipoprotein) Cholesterol and the beneficial HDL (high-density lipoprotein) Cholesterol.

A certain amount of Cholesterol is vital for the normal functioning of the body but high Cholesterol is a major risk factor for heart disease and stroke. Cholesterol is deposited on the inner walls of arteries in a process called arthrosclerosis. This occurs over many years and does not cause any symptoms but can increase the risk of heart attack and stroke.LDLs carry Cholesterol to the cells, increasing the potential of arthrosclerosis.

HDLs carry Cholesterol away from the cells and back to the liver where it is changed into bile and excreted in the faeces. A Cholesterol test that shows the total amount of Cholesterol is not sufficient to determine the risk of heart disease because it combines both “good” and “bad” Cholesterol into the same measurement. The test also needs to show the ratio of HDL to LDL.
Cholesterol is not needed in the diet because the body makes all the Cholesterol it needs. Please ask for further dietary advice at the Pharmacy and for other tips to help reach or maintain healthy levels of Cholesterol.

The cholesterol levels are measured using a minute blood sample, taken from a finger prick. The results are available straight away. For 100% accurate results, cholesterol testing should be carried out with the patient having fasted from the previous evening. For this reason, we advise patients to make their appointment for early in the morning.

Blood Pressure
Blood pressure measurement is important for those on blood pressure medication and those with a history of hypertension in the family to have their blood pressure checked regularly. Hypertension becomes a very serious issue when it is not controlled. Regular testing is the first step in achieving that control.

Body Mass Index 
This is a method of determining if an adult is over or underweight. It is determined by dividing a person’s weight in kilograms by their height in meters squared. People can be classified according to the following levels:

<18 Underweight
Between 18 and 25 Normal, healthy weight
Between 25 and 30 Overweight
Over 30 Obese

A BMI over 25 is just one of the many factors that can contribute to the development of chronic diseases such as cancer, diabetes, osteoarthritis, high blood pressure and heart disease. A low BMI of under 18 can contribute to diseases such as malnourishment, osteoporosis, infertility and poor immunity.

Blood Glucose 
The blood glucose levels can be measured using the same blood sample, taken from a finger prick, as for the Cholesterol test. The blood glucose levels, taken after a minimum of two hours’ fasting can indicate whether someone is diabetic or not or if they are at risk.

Total Health Screening 
This includes Cholesterol, Blood Glucose and Blood Pressure checks.

DISCLAIMER: THE SCREENING OFFERED IN MCCRYSTAL’S PHARMACY IS EXACTLY WHAT IT IS DESCRIBED AS, i.e. SCREENING. THE TESTS OFFERED ARE NOT DIAGNOSTIC IN NATURE BUT ARE AN AID TO DETERMING WHETHER PATIENTS NEED TO BE REFERRED TO THEIR GP FOR FURTHER INVESTIGATION.