Most of us have our automobile inspected regularly and its systems maintained with the required filters, fluids and parts to ensure good performance. In turn, our automobile monitors its oil pressure, voltage, temperature and other measures and tips us off if there could be trouble down the road.
WellNS offers many resources and tools to help you live healthier. However, like your automobile, it is also important that you regularly have your health assessed, do what’s necessary for your personal health status, and keep track of the measures by which your body can alert you that there could be trouble ahead. We might think we take pretty good care of ourselves and we feel healthy. So, why bother? Not having an annual physical and the related diagnostics can lead to missing the early detection and timely treatment of serious health problems. Not adhering to medication therapy prescribed by your physician can result in major health consequences. And, not knowing how your blood pressure or cholesterol, the ‘silent killers’, measure up, can increase your risk of a catastrophic event like a heart attack or stroke.
Click on the links below for information to help you manage your health.
Know Your Numbers – what are these measures, what’s good, what’s bad
Get Your Annual Physical and Screenings – recommended health checks
Take My Medicine - a guide to adherence
Know Your Wellness Related/Preventative Care Coverage – see how little care can cost
An important step to managing your health and preventing health issues is knowing what your numbers are, what they should be, and some of the health consequences for which you are at risk if your numbers are not what they should be.
Only your doctor can advise you concerning your personal health risk factors and the actions you should take to maintain or improve your health. The information provided here is intended to help you have a better understanding of the discussions you should have with your doctor during your next visit.
Important numbers you should know
Heart Disease and your numbers
Get Your Annual Physical and Screenings
If you do not know what your numbers are, the best place to start is to schedule an annual physical. Discuss with your doctor what tests and screening are appropriate for you. This may vary based on your age, gender and family history.
Questions to ask your doctor
- What is my risk for heart disease?
- What other screening tests for heart disease do I need?
- How can I tell if I may be having a heart attack?
- What can you do to help me stop smoking?
- What are my blood pressure, cholesterol, BMI and blood glucose numbers?
- What do they mean?
Adhering to the directions and cautions of medications your doctor has prescribed for you is critical to managing health risks or conditions and preventing more serious problems.
In some cases, you may be able to make lifestyle changes that will enable you to reduce or get off of your medications. You need to work closely with your doctor to come up with a plan. It may not be easy, but following doctors orders, particularly when it comes to the medications prescribed for you gives you the best chance for a healthier future. To learn more about the important of medication adherence click here.
Know your Wellness/Preventative Care Coverage
Norfolk Southern understands the importance of knowing your numbers and preventative care. Consequently, as an NS employee or covered family member, you have medical coverage that makes it easy and economical for you and your dependents to keep up with regular check ups to ensure that you are healthy and stay healthy.
Did you know that your annual physical and routine screenings require little or no out-of-pocket cost? For a summary of your plan coverage for preventative care such as annual physicals, routine tests and prescriptions including smoking cessation products, click on the appropriate link below.