Monitor your well-being

Blood pressure is recorded as systolic blood pressure (the upper number) and diastolic blood pressure (the lower number).

Systolic blood pressure is the amount of pressure your blood is exerting against your arteries during heart muscle contractions.

Diastolic blood pressure is the blood pressure against your arteries when your heart muscle is resting between beats. The ideal blood pressure for a person with diabetes should be less than 135/75mmHg.

Cholesterol is essential for the body to function normally. The desirable cholesterol level should be less than 5.17mmol/L.

Individuals with high cholesterol levels are recommended to undergo a full lipid profile blood test. Diabetes patients are often more susceptible to unhealthy cholesterol levels.

Diabetes tends to not only decrease the level of high-density lipoprotein or good cholesterol in the body, it also increases the body’s level of low-density lipoprotein or bad cholesterol and triglycerides.

This increases the likelihood of a heart attack, stroke and even death. Therefore, it is advisable for diabetes patients to check cholesterol levels at least once annually.

However, patients or caregivers need not worry too much. They can regularly monitor glucose level, blood pressure as well as cholesterol levels at home with home monitoring devices that are available in the market.

AvoMeter Vantage is a meter that measures both glucose and cholesterol. With a small amount of blood, the result for glucose and cholesterol levels can be obtained in as little as five seconds and 26 seconds respectively, anytime and anywhere.

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Patients or caregivers need not worry too much. They can regularly monitor glucose level, blood pressure as well as cholesterol levels at home with home monitoring devices that are available in the market.

AvoMeter Vantage is available at leading pharmacies and clinics in Malaysia.

It is important to note that home monitoring cannot replace regular followups with the doctor. Patients should continue taking the medication prescribed even if the readings are in the normal range during home monitoring.

With the correct treatment and proper care, patients can prevent or delay the onset of complications.

For more information, call 03-5629 3656 or e-mail lim.liying@apexpharma.com.my.