Health tracking: The key to a healthier life
Health tracking is when you track, record and analyse data about your health. One of the main benefits of health tracking is that it can offer vital insights into your general health, enabling you to catch any potential health concerns earlier or make informed decisions about the best ways to enhance your health.
In this article, we explore more about health tracking, from the key metrics you should consider tracking to how having regular private fully-body health assessments like those offered at Bluecrest Wellness can be the key to a healthier life.
What is health tracking?
Put simply, health tracking is the process of tracking, recording and analysing your health.
Traditionally, health tracking could only be provided by having tests through a healthcare provider, but many metrics, like heart rate, exercise and calorie intake, can now be tracked through wearable devices like smartwatches. When combined with more traditional tests, like blood tests and blood pressure readings, you can gain and track key insights into your health and make informed decisions to improve your health and wellbeing.
For the best results, it is best to track and monitor your health regularly. Key metrics like your blood pressure, weight and blood sugar levels should be monitored annually if you have no known health concerns. You may be advised to have more regular health monitoring if you have a pre-existing condition like high blood pressure or type 2 diabetes.
What are the benefits of health tracking?
Health tracking offers numerous benefits, including:
- Alerting you to potential health concerns often before symptoms occur
- Providing tangible insights into your health enabling more informed decision-making
- Enabling you to measure your progress, set goals and track progress
- Helping you to focus on the health concerns that work best for you
What health metrics should be tracked?
It is possible to track multiple health metrics, from your heart rate to your weight and blood pressure, so deciding which should be tracked can feel overwhelming. To help you understand which health metrics should be tracked, we’ve outlined some of the key benefits below:
- Blood pressure – Tracking your blood pressure enables you to identify potential health issues like high blood pressure early on. Often called ‘a silent killer’ as most people don’t experience any symptoms, high blood pressure can increase your risk of serious complications like heart attacks and stroke. Tracking your blood pressure can also be a way to track your response to treatment or monitor the impact of lifestyle changes, like eating healthier.
Learn more about the benefits of tracking your blood pressure and how often you should get your blood pressure checked.
- Body composition – Body composition is the amount of fat, bone and muscle in your body. Tracking your body composition goes one step further than monitoring your weight and can be beneficial for your health, helping you identify your risk of health conditions like heart disease and diabetes and enabling you to set and monitor fitness and weight loss goals.
Discover how a private body composition scan from Bluecrest Wellness can help you achieve your health goals.
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Blood glucose – Your blood glucose, also known as your blood sugar level, can indicate how efficiently your body metabolises glucose, which is a key indicator of longevity, so can be beneficial regardless of whether you have diabetes or not. Tracking your blood sugar can help you understand how diet, exercise and medications impact your sugar levels, identify patterns in what causes your sugar levels to rise and fall and catch rising sugar levels before pre-diabetes or type 2 diabetes develops.
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Heart rate – Tracking your heart rate can indicate your overall health and fitness. A normal resting heart rate for adults is between 60 to 100 beats per minute (bpm). A resting heart rate above 100bpm is known as tachycardia and can increase your risk of cardiovascular disease and early death. The rhythm of your heart is also important as abnormal rhythms can also indicate heart problems.
Find out more about how to check your heart health.
- Cholesterol – High levels of ‘bad cholesterol’ also known as LDL cholesterol can lead to atherosclerosis and increase your risk of angina, heart attacks and strokes. As a result, monitoring your cholesterol levels can be vital for maintaining your overall health.
Discover more about the different types of cholesterol and the role cholesterol plays in your body.
How can Bluecrest help track my health?
At Bluecrest Wellness, we are dedicated to supporting people in taking control of their health by providing comprehensive and accurate health tracking.
Through our range of full body health assessments packages, we can provide useful insights into key health metrics, enabling you to track and monitor your health and make informed decisions about the best ways to boost your health.
Our packages include a comprehensive range of key health tracking tests, such as:
- Cholesterol
- Blood sugar
- Blood pressure
- Heart rhythm (ECG)
- A range of blood tests
- Body composition
In addition, with every package, you receive a personal results report and access to a 24/7 GP helpline. This enables you to track and monitor your progress and get support for any health concerns you may have.
Take control of your health with Bluecrest
To take control of your health, book a full body health assessment with Bluecrest Wellness. This enables you to take a more bespoke approach when it comes to deciding on the best ways to enhance your overall health and wellbeing.
At Bluecrest Wellness, our comprehensive health MOTs provide insights into key health metrics and your risk of certain health conditions, so you can make smarter, more informed decisions to optimise your health.
All of our health assessment packages can be booked across the UK, making it easy for you to find a location convenient for you. Plus, you can be confident that we will deliver fast, efficient and accurate results as we have established links with leading UK laboratories and are fully accredited for a wide range of tests. In addition, alongside a comprehensive Results Report, you get free 24/7 access to a GP helpline for a year following your tests.
