The Safety MAN Road Safety Truck will always try to have a nurse on board to offer free health checks to all participants who go through the Healthy Driver Program. They will have the opportunity to get a quick heart and diabetes check, which will give participants an indication of their blood glucose and blood pressure levels.

Drivers are given a card with their results written on it and the nurse will advise whether further consultation with a GP is required. High Blood pressure can lead to serious problems with heart health and high or low blood glucose levels could be a sign of diabetes.

WHAT IS DIABETES?

Diabetes is when you have too much sugar in your blood. It is a disease where your body is unable to control your blood sugar levels. A diabetes test involves testing your blood glucose (sugar) levels. Some adults who develop diabetes have no symptoms, others may experience:

  • Dehydration & regularly feeling thirsty
  • Passing a lot of urine
  • Feeling tired during the day
  • Blurred vision
  • Skin infections
  • Urinary infections
  • Slow healing
Find this information and more on the Ministry of Health website.

There are over 240,000 people in NZ who have been diagnose with diabetes and another 100,000 who may have it but do not know. If diabetes is not diagnosed properly and treated, it can lead to damage of the kidneys, eyes, heart and feet. If you are concerned and are experiencing some of those symptoms, book an appointment with your GP, or call the National Healthline for a chat 0800 611 116. Diabetes NZ also has many local branches for you to visit.


YOU MAY BE AT RISK OF DIABETES IF YOU:

Are Overweight

Do Little Exercise

Have Diabetes in the Family

Are over 40 Years of Age

Are Maori or Pacific Island 

Women who have babies over 4kg 

Have High Blood Pressure

Have Pre-Diabetes

High Blood Glucose in Pregnancy

Although there is no cure for diabetes, it can be managed properly for you to stay well. Your doctor or diabetes nurse will teach you how to maintain blood sugar at a healthy level. This may include recommending:

  • Healthy Eating - CLICK HERE for the Diabetes NZ healthy food choices resource pack.
  • Exercising regularly 
  • Taking tablets or insulin injections


There are also Apps that have been designed to make your life with diabetes easier. Try the mySugr App.

WHAT IS HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE?

Your heart beats to pump blood around the body. Blood pushes against the sides of blood vessels called your arteries. The strength of this pushing is your blood pressure.
High blood pressure means that blood is moving through your body with too much force. This can cause damage to arteries which may lead to stroke, heart attack or damaged organs (eyes, kidneys & brain). Find out more...

If you are given a high blood pressure reading it does not necessarily mean that you have high blood pressure. It is normal for the levels to fluctuate throughout the day. To obtain a reliable result, you will need to have three readings over three separate months. If all three readings are high, you will need to discuss treatment options with your GP. High blood pressure is known as the 'silent killer' because for most people there are no symptoms.

WHAT YOU CAN DO TO LOWER YOUR BLOOD PRESSURE (Click to Find Out How):

Stop Smoking

Quitting is the best thing you can do for your heart.

Move More

Just 30 minutes of exercise a day can decrease your risk of heart disease.

Eat Healthier

Find out what foods are good and bad for your heart.

Healthy Weight

Check if you are within a healthy weight range with the BMI Calculator.

Manage Stress

Keeping stress under control will help you stay healthier.

Taking Medication

Read about the pros and cons.

The Heart Foundation has an online tool called Your Heart Age Forecast. This measures how great your risk of a heart attack or stroke is, GET STARTED NOW.

If you would like to talk to someone about your heart health try the Heart Foundation 0800 863 375 or the NZ National Healthline 0800 611 116.