Have You Checked Yours?

When I was approached by Push Doctor, the amazing online doctor consultation service  to see if I would review their cholesterol testing kit, it couldn’t have come at a better time.My mother had been discussing getting hers tested as she  has embarked on a” getting fit and healthier program” and this was one test she really wanted to do as both my grandparents had heart disease. Like thousands of other people, we had thought she would need to go to her G.P to get a test done but in fact Push Doctor are giving testing kits away free….

As there are around 7 million people in the U.K living with heart disease and over 160,000 deaths each year resulting from heart and circulatory problems this has to be a really good idea. The recommendation from the Canadian Cardiovascular society is that men over the age of 40 and women over the age of 45 should be tested if they have no other risk factors. If there are risk factors present,like being overweight, smoking or having high blood pressure the age for testing drops to 25 years old for both.

Now Push Doctor do say this is an indication of your cholesterol and if the result is at all above normal then pop along to your G.P explain you have done this test and the result, and ask for another kind of cholesterol test to be done. This second test will tell how much high density and how much low density cholesterol you have and whether you need to be treated. Of course, you also need to see your G.P for actual diagnosis of any heart or circulatory conditions and of course treatment. As both my mum and I thought, this test will be great for all those people who say “I won’t bother my doctor, it’s probably nothing,” or “I’m fine I’m sure!” Well now you can check at home to see and know that you’re going to you doctor with a very valid reason.

Back to my mum! She was quite excited to be presented with this test and to be a guinea pig for me. In her words:

“…the instructions are clear and concise. The kit is easy to setup and use and results are there, 40 seconds after pricking your finger!”

Basically you have 2 foil packets with the test strips in, a cardboard “holder” that you fix the strip into and that you read the result from by matching the colour of your result against the pre-printed examples. The little lancet or needles, of which there are two, are simple to use by pushing a button (you don’t even see a needle in case you’re squeamish). After use, the needle is safely retracted within the plastic applicator so safe to dispose of in your general rubbish.

After pricking your finger you just squeeze a drop of blood onto the test patch on the strip and wait 40 seconds. (I would recommend getting your timer set up beforehand.) Then within 25 seconds of the 40 second timer you need to have read your result. That’s all there is to it! Happily my mum’s results stated her cholesterol is within normal limits and she has a second testing strip and lancet, which comes included in the pack, that she will use in a couple of months time. I should maybe add that my mum is a retired, qualified nurse and she was extremely vocal in her praise for this little bit of kit, just think how many people could get an early heads up that not all was well and they should pop along to their doctor.

The testing kits are easy to obtain by following the link https://www.pushdoctor.co.uk/test-your-cholesterol  and the form simply needs a name and address for you to be able to receive your free testing kit. What are you waiting for!

*This is a collaborative post – all opinions are my own.