Now that your workforce population has completed their biometric health screening and received their results, it’s time to interpret them. Whether their tests fall within the standard range or not, comprehending the impact on overall wellbeing is essential. While most results are straightforward numbers, interpreting what those numbers mean can be challenging, and whether their tests fall within the standard range or not, it’s essential that participants understand the impact their results have on their overall wellbeing.
Defining the risk
With eHealthScreenings, for each biometric category tested, participants receive a risk rating of low, moderate, or high and a comparison against past results to determine if they are making improvements, regressing, or staying the same. Upon reviewing the risk rating, participants can also see each tested category listed with their personal value and the standard healthy range. When the values align within this range, there’s usually no need for concern, however increased risk can mean further intervention is needed.
- Low – “Low” risk values fall within the desired healthy range for the participant’s age and gender.
- Moderate – “Moderate” risk values are outside the optimal range, indicating a potential higher risk for serious medical conditions; it’s important for your employees to discuss these results with their doctor.
- High – A “High” risk value falls outside of the moderate range and indicates a crucial need for the employee to discuss further evaluation and next steps with their doctor.
Reviewing the data
When it comes to evaluating the results of a biometric screening, it’s particularly important to look at the “Big Five.” The Big Five are risk factors of metabolic syndrome, which increases the risk of heart disease, diabetes, and stroke.
- HDL
High-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol is known as the “good” cholesterol because it helps remove other forms of cholesterol from your bloodstream. It’s beneficial to have high levels of HDL cholesterol to maintain optimal health. - Triglycerides
Elevated triglyceride levels can lead to the hardening of arteries or thickening of artery walls. - Glucose Levels
Long-term high blood glucose levels can eventually result in diabetes and cause harm to the body’s organs. - Blood Pressure
High blood pressure can harm your arteries by reducing their elasticity (how flexible they are), resulting in decreased blood and oxygen flow to the heart and increasing the risk of heart disease. - Waist Circumference
This fat type collects around your organs and is associated with elevated blood fat levels, high blood pressure, and diabetes. A larger waist often indicates excess fat inside your organs as well.
Participants can have any one of these risk factors by itself, but elevated scores in at least three out of the five tests or low levels of HDL can lead to a metabolic syndrome diagnosis. Participants with high-risk factors for the “Big Five” should contact their doctor.
Taking the next step
Once an employee has received their screening results, the next steps will depend on the level of risk that was identified during the test. It’s important to recognize that health screenings provided by employers are not meant for diagnosing diseases or conditions. Instead, screenings are designed to highlight risk factors that may indicate an existing disease or the likelihood of developing one.
Official diagnosis of disease should be performed by doctors or other qualified healthcare providers who are responsible for patient care. For participants that do need further support, primary care providers can offer guidance on behavior change, medication, and more to help them get back on track.
Ready to bring testing to your workforce? Offering biometric health screenings provides a proactive way for your employees to assess their risk for various health issues, many of which can be managed through early detection or lifestyle modifications. Contact us for more information about biometric health screenings with eHealthScreenings.