Health at your fingertips
Consultant cardiologist explains the importance of health parameters and the boom in healthcare devices
IN the era of Covid-19, maintaining one’s health has become paramount in ensuring survival and longevity, especially since everyone continues to be house-bound. Recognising that overall health extends beyond the pandemic, Zuellig Pharma Therapeutics and its partner, Medisana, held a virtual press conference on “Health monitoring begins from home”.
Delivering the keynote address was consultant cardiologist Dr Wong Teck Wee, a registered specialist in cardiology and internal medicine with the National Specialist Register and the Singapore Health Ministry.
“The number one killer in Malaysia is ischemic heart disease,” Wong said.
He added that diabetes, family history, high blood cholesterol, high blood pressure, high blood triglycerides, obesity and smoking are key risk factors for the disease.
“Blood pressure is an important vital sign to monitor for heart disease patients.”
The other four principal causes of death in Malaysia pre-Covid-19 are pneumonia, cerebrovascular diseases, transport accidents and Malignant Neoplasm of trachea, bronchus and the lungs.
The purpose of Dr Wong’s insight was to increase public awareness on health monitoring from home and to encourage sustainable health practices.
Early detection
Wong said Malaysians have to prioritise their health by keeping it on an even equilibrium, by using devices such as blood pressure monitors, thermometers, blood glucose meters and pulse oximeters to monitor their levels.
He pointed out that the heart or pulse rate has to be between 60 and 100, as this range falls within normal parameters.
The second aspect to look at is blood pressure, where the normal Systolic and Diastolic reading is below 120 and 80mmHg respectively. Wong advised people to check their blood pressure at the same time every day.
“It is important for patients with lung disease, especially those who have recovered from Covid or pneumonia, to check their respiratory rate. The normal respiratory rate in an adult at rest should be about 12 to 20 breaths a minute. If you are breathing more rapidly, something is not normal,” he said.
The next aspect is the monitoring of body temperature, which is selfexplanatory.
Wong goes on to explain about Blood Oxygen Saturation, which can be measured with an oximeter.
“It should normally be from 95% to 100%.”
Wong said conditions that can lower the saturation are anemia, lung diseases, heart diseases and heavy smoking, among others.
“If the saturation is dropping considerably, it shows your lungs’ oxygenation is low and you should see a doctor as soon as possible”.
“The last thing we should look at is blood sugar levels. If your blood sugar is less than 4.0mmol/L, you are at risk of hypoglycemia, which can damage your brain. The upper part should not be more than 9 or 10mmol/L.”
Increasing awareness
According to Zuellig Pharma Malaysia brand manager Liew Shaw Kang, in general, there seems to be a growing demand for home monitoring devices.
“We refer to comments by the Malaysian Pharmaceutical Society, and indeed, there has been an increase in demand for home monitoring devices due to the pandemic. This also aligns with what we compiled from a market survey,” Liew said.
Wong added that general health awareness seems to remain low among the lower-income class.
“They are not aware of medical issues. If you look at the 2019 National Health and Morbidity Survey, Malaysian health literacy is low.
“But we have a second doctor at home. We call it ‘Dr Google.’ Most of the time, it gives quite reliable answers and solutions.”
However, he cautioned: “If you are not a healthcare professional, it is better to know what is fact and what is not true”.