What to expect from an AIA Vitality Health Check (and why you should get one)

Have you booked your health check?

Regular health checks are essential for assessing your risk of developing chronic disease. That’s why AIA Vitality offers one free health check in partnership with Terry White Chemmart each membership year.

Not only that, but program members can earn up to 6000 AIA Vitality points in the process. The assessment is divided into four categories – body composition, blood pressure, blood glucose, and cholesterol – each of which is explained in detail below.

These are your basic stats, including height, weight, and waist circumference. Your measurements are used to establish your body mass index (BMI), which is a useful indicator of whether your weight falls into the recommended range. A BMI between 18.5 and 24.9 is considered healthy (with a handful of exceptions related to background and age). A BMI of 25 or above is defined as overweight, while a result lower than 18.5 is considered to be underweight.

Your body fat percentage is also recorded as part of your body composition assessment. An average male has between 18 to 24 per cent body fat, while the range is 25 to 31 per cent for women.

Your blood pressure is represented by two numbers – the systolic blood pressure (the heart’s cycle of contraction) and the diastolic blood pressure (the heart’s cycle of relaxation) – expressed as an equation of X/Y. According to the Heart Foundation, an ideal blood pressure reading is one that’s lower than 120/80. Readings that are over 120/80 but lower than 140/90 are considered to be in the normal to high range, while anything greater than 140/90 indicates high blood pressure (hypertension).

It’s essential to have your blood pressure tested on a regular basis as hypertension is asymptomatic and therefore hard to diagnose without monitoring. If left untreated, hypertension can cause damage to your arteries – increasing your risk of kidney failure, stroke, and heart attack.

Blood glucose levels are used to determine whether the sugar levels in your blood are within a healthy range. Hyperglycaemia occurs when blood glucose levels are too high, and is often indicative of type one or type two diabetes (although it can also be a symptom of other health issues). Hypoglycaemia is defined by low levels of blood sugar – and those who have diabetes are particularly at risk if their glucose levels dip too low.

Cholesterol is a naturally occurring fat that’s produced by our bodies. It’s vital to many essential functions, including the production of hormones and vitamin D.

However, cholesterol can also be ingested through the foods that we eat (especially those containing high levels of saturated fat). When levels of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (often called ‘bad cholesterol’) get too high, it can create blockages in arteries – increasing risk of heart disease and stroke. The Victorian government’s guidelines for cholesterol define a healthy level as less than 5.5 mmol per litre, provided that there are no other risk factors present (including hypertension and smoking).

To book your AIA Vitality health check, simply log-in to your account and follow the steps found on the AIA Vitality portal. If you’re unable to attend a Terry White Chemmart, you can also have your GP complete the assessment. Don’t forget to download your advanced screening form before your appointment.

Staff writers come from a range of backgrounds including health, wellbeing, music, tech, culture and the arts. They spend their time researching the latest data and trends in the health market to deliver up-to-date information, helping everyday Australians live healthier lives. This is general information only and is not intended as medical, health, nutritional or other advice. You should obtain professional advice from a medical or health practitioner in relation to your own personal circumstances. The information in this article is general information only and is not intended as medical, health, nutritional or other advice. You should obtain professional advice from a medical or health practitioner in relation to your own personal circumstances.

Disclaimer:
The information in this article is general information only and is not intended as financial, medical, health, nutritional, tax or other advice. It does not take into account any individual’s personal situation or needs. You should consider obtaining professional advice from a financial adviser and/or tax specialist, or medical or health practitioner, in relation to your own circumstances and before acting on this information.