For years, Henrik Drusebjerg knew he was predisposed to high blood pressure and cholesterol. At Cue, he has finally started doing something about it, and today he can see his numbers moving in the right direction.
Henrik Drusebjerg is 52 and has spent his entire career in banking. He considers himself fairly healthy and in good shape, but for years there was a nagging worry at the back of his mind. From his parents, and from the occasional visit to the doctor, he knew he was genetically predisposed to high blood pressure and far too high cholesterol.
Even so, he never really got round to acting on it.
"I don't think I'm saying too much if I say I don't go to the doctor very often. Something fairly concrete has to be wrong before I book an appointment."
So the concern stayed just that: a lingering, uneasy thought that was never dealt with. And that is exactly what makes blood pressure and cholesterol so treacherous. You can't feel them.
"That's what's really so dangerous about what I've been struggling with. I can't feel it until I'm lying on the floor, and by then it's usually too late."
A healthy dose of scepticism
Henrik is open about being naturally sceptical of longevity initiatives. He had heard many versions of them, and quite a few had little to do with doctors. What made him say yes to a programme with Cue was the fact that it is backed by doctors.
When his first results came back, things became very real. The combination of high cholesterol and high blood pressure was, in Henrik's words, a real punch to the gut, and the statistics he was presented with were hard to ignore: a 20 percent chance of having a stroke before he turns 60, and only a 50 percent chance of reaching the age of 75.
"When you've just turned 52, that's something you can really feel."
From worry to action
The numbers caused the worry. But they also gave him something to work with. Instead of a vague concern, Henrik now had a clear starting point and a team to work alongside.
After his second test, he could see that the values that had been most critical were all moving in the right direction. They aren't quite where they need to be yet, but the progress is clear, and being able to follow it in black and white makes a big difference to him.
"The whole programme at Cue has given me a completely different sense of calm. Now I feel like I'm doing something, and I'm doing it together with Anders and with Cue."
A more complete sense of health
According to Henrik, the biggest change is mental. He has always felt quite healthy and fit, but that feeling was never entirely whole, because the fear about his blood pressure and cholesterol was always lurking. Now the picture is starting to come together.
"It's a huge relief to finally tackle this and do something about it, because the doubt and uncertainty have been nagging at me for years."
For Henrik, the takeaway is simple. It shows that it's never too late to do something about it, even if you're getting on a bit in years.
About this case
Henrik Drusebjerg, 52, has worked in banking his entire career. He is currently on a programme at Cue focused on high cholesterol and blood pressure.
Cases on Cue Learn share members' own experiences. A Cue programme is tailored to the individual and complements, rather than replaces, the treatment you receive from your regular healthcare provider.