Health library
Clear answers to common health questions
Short guides on the conditions we see most often in Jamaica, the tests your doctor may order, and how to look after yourself between visits.
Heart and circulation
- High blood pressure: know your numbersAbout one in three Jamaican adults has high blood pressure, and many don’t know it. Here is what the numbers mean and what brings them down.
- Stroke: act FASTFour letters that help you spot a stroke, and what to do in the first minutes.
- Heart attack: the warning signsWhat a heart attack feels like, how it can differ in women, and what to do while help is on the way.
Long-term conditions
Women and children
- Cervical screening and the HPV testCervical cancer is one of the most preventable cancers. Here is how the Pap smear and the HPV test work together.
- Heart defects in babies and childrenAbout one baby in a hundred is born with a heart defect. Most can be treated, and many children go on to live full lives.
Men’s health
- Kidney stones: symptoms, treatment and preventionWhy stones form, how they’re treated without surgery, and how much water it takes to keep them away.
- Prostate checks: what Jamaican men should knowProstate cancer is the most common cancer among Jamaican men. It is also one of the most treatable when found early.
Tests and procedures
Staying well
- Dengue fever: what to watch forHow to tell dengue from the flu, which painkillers to avoid, and the warning signs that mean hospital.
- Hurricane season: a health checklistMedicines, water, documents and a plan. What to put in place before a storm if someone at home depends on regular care.
- Staying hydrated in the heatHow to tell when you need more fluid, and where coconut water fits in.
These guides are general information. They don’t replace the advice of a doctor who knows you. If you’re worried about your health, see your doctor, or call us on (876) 926-7401.