Caribbean News
JAMAICA: Heart Health; Understanding Your Risks
#Jamaica, February 22, 2018 – Kingston – The Heart Foundation of Jamaica (HFJ) is imploring Jamaicans to be vigilant about their heart health and aware of the indicators that may point to the development or existence of cardiac conditions.
Speaking with JIS News, Cardiologist at the HFJ, Dr. Rohan Wilks, says it is important that persons know their blood pressure, blood sugar and cholesterol levels, as these numbers are critical in determining their risk for heart disease.
“For the blood pressure, there are two numbers which come into play, the systolic (upper number), which should be less than 120 and the diastolic (lower number) which should be less than 80. The number is, therefore, read as 118 over 75, for example,” he explains.
As it relates to cholesterol readings, it must be noted that there is bad and good cholesterol, and normal readings should be 3.5 for low-density lipoprotein (LDL/Bad Cholesterol) and the good cholesterol or HDL number should be between 35 to 65 for men and 35 to 80 for women.
Meanwhile, blood sugar readings are measured by weight in milligrams per decilitre (mg/dL) or in millimoles per litre (mmol/L). In a person without diabetes, blood sugar should be between 70 and 100 mg/dL or 3.8 and 5.5 mmol/L. It is important to note that after a meal, blood sugar can rise up to 120mg/dL or 6.7mmol/L.
Dr. Wilks says that there are other patterns that are looked at as it relates to patients with Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes, such as waking blood sugar, and before and after meal readings. In addition to their numbers, Dr. Wilks is advising persons, who are displaying symptoms such as chest pains, shortness of breath, heart racing or sudden loss of consciousness to consult their physician.
“These symptoms do not necessarily guarantee the presence of a heart condition, but give sufficient cause to seek advice. The general practitioner is able to interview the patient, make necessary checks and ascertain whether any further assessments need to be done,” he points out.
Persons, who are predisposed to heart conditions because of family history or chronic conditions, including hypertension, high cholesterol and diabetes, should pay special attention to their heart health.
Dr. Wilks says a patient may be required to do a screening test called an electrocardiogram (ECG) in order to establish whether there is a heart condition. He explains that the test will provide a reading of the electrical activity or rhythm of the heart, which is displayed on a moving strip of paper or a line on a screen. The physician is able to assess the peaks and dips recorded on the screen to determine whether the rhythm of the heart is normal.
“The patient is notified of the findings from the ECG and, if necessary, additional probes may be requested by the physician. This may come in the form of an echocardiogram, which is essentially an ultrasound of the chest and shows detailed images of the heart’s structure and function,” Dr. Wilks says.
Holter monitoring is another exploratory testing option available for patients. The monitor is a portable device, which is worn by the individual for 24 to 72 hours and is used to detect heart rhythm irregularities that are not discovered during a regular ECG exam.
Stress testing, cardiac catheterisation, cardiac computerised tomography (CT) scan or cardiac magnetic resonance imagings (MRI) are other available options. Cardiac catheterisation is the most intrusive of these tests and involves the insertion of a narrow catheter into a vein or artery, which is guided toward the heart. A dye is subsequently injected and observed on an X-ray screen to monitor the blood flow to the heart and check for any abnormalities.
The MRI is an imaging test, which provides pictures to help the physician evaluate the patient’s heart.
Release: JIS
Caribbean News
Sandals Resorts and Beaches Resorts celebrate a night of wins, and take home a total of 16 titles at the 32nd Annual World Travel Awards
Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands (October 6th, 2025) – CaribCon, the Caribbean conference celebrating culture, innovation, and creativity, will welcome some of the region’s most influential voices to its inaugural edition in the Turks and Caicos Islands. The event, set to be a dynamic gathering of thought leaders and cultural icons, will feature impactful panel discussions, inspiring and intimate fireside chats and a flow of knowledge from some of the Caribbean’s brightest and best in the creative sector.
Elizabeth “Lady” Montano
Jamaica’s own Dr. Terri-Karelle Johnson, celebrated communications specialist, media personality, and global keynote speaker, will headline CaribCon as the official keynote speaker. Known for her ability to connect authentically and inspire audiences worldwide, Dr. Reid will share her insights on Caribbean identity, storytelling, and the power of representation in shaping global narratives. Another highlight of CaribCon will be the presence of Elizabeth “Lady” Montano, mother and former manager of soca superstar Machel Montano. Lady will launch her award-winning book, King of Soca, in which she is positioned as the ultimate insider, chronicling the evolution of one of the Caribbean’s most iconic entertainers. She will also share her invaluable experiences on nurturing talent, building a brand, and sustaining longevity in the competitive music industry in an intimate fireside chat. Adding further star power to the event is Simon Baptiste, CEO of Question Mark Entertainment, co-founder of ODOS, a global collective network spanning over 1000 professionals in 35 countries, film director, talent manager and creative strategist. Baptiste will bring his expertise to conversations on shaping the region’s creative sector and talent.
Simon Baptiste
“CaribCon is where the Caribbean’s voices, ideas, and creativity converge,” says Omega Simmons, founder of CaribCon and CEO of SOS Media. “Having leaders like Terri Karelle, Lady Montano, and Simon Baptiste share their stories and expertise truly embodies the spirit of this event. Their presence reinforces the power of Caribbean culture to inspire and influence on the world stage.” CaribCon will take place at the Shore Club in Providenciales, the Turks and Caicos Islands, from October 23rd to 26th. Attendees can look forward to networking opportunities, panel discussions, and meaningful dialogue to foster an ecosystem that develops the region’s creative sector and propels it onto the global stage.
Sponsors are:
Signature Experience Partners: Ministry of Tourism, Experience Turks and Caicos, and The Shore Club.
Other sponsors: PPID, Invest TCI, InterCaribbean Airways, Subtronic Sounds, Spotlight Communications.
Hotel partners: Ocean Club Resorts, Waterloo Hotel Management, The Somerset on Grace Bay and Ports of Call Resort.
For more information, tickets, and updates, visit www.caribcon.co or follow @caribconhq on all social media platforms.
For more information please email: contact@caribcon.co
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