How can you know if you’ re at risk for diabetes, heart disease and other chronic diseases? There is a system of numbers we can use to tell us! By knowing your numbers, you can take action to make positive changes that will help prevent the onset of chronic health conditions. Here are some of the numbers that are important for you to know: Blood Pressure
People with untreated high blood pressure face greater lifetime health risks. Your blood pressure is also one of the strongest markers for heart disease risk, measured as two numbers:
• Systolic pressure is the upper number and is the pressure when the heart is contracting.
• Diastolic pressure is the second number and is the pressure when the heart is at rest between beats.
New guidelines on blood pressure indicate lower numbers than previously accepted:
• Normal: less than 120 / 80 mm Hg
• Elevated: systolic from 120 to 129 and diastolic less than 80
• Stage 1: systolic from 130 to 139 or diastolic from 80 to 89
• Stage 2: systolic at least 140 or diastolic at least 90
• Hypertensive crisis: systolic over 180 and / or diastolic over 120 Cholesterol Levels
Too much“ bad” cholesterol can lead to a hardening of your arteries. This can put you at risk for a heart attack or stroke. The American Heart Association recommends having your cholesterol levels checked every four to six years.
LDL is the“ bad” cholesterol, and lower is better. It contributes
HEALTH & WELLNESS It’ s American Heart Month: Know your numbers
HEALTHY LIVING TIPS FROM to fatty buildups in arteries( atherosclerosis). HDL is the“ good” cholesterol. HDL acts as a scavenger, carrying LDL cholesterol away from the arteries and back to the liver. There it’ s broken down and passed from the body. Triglyceride levels vary by age and sex. The most common type of fat in the body, triglycerides store excess energy from your diet. People with high triglycerides often have a high total cholesterol level. Many people with heart disease or diabetes also have high triglyceride levels.
Get your cholesterol checked and talk to your doctor about your numbers and how they impact your overall risk. Blood Sugar
A glucose test is commonly used to diagnose the presence of diabetes. A fasting blood sugar level( tested after you haven’ t eaten for 12 hours) should be below 100 mg / dL. Body Mass Index( BMI)
This will give you a better idea of your health risk than weight alone and is calculated from two other numbers that you probably know: your weight and height. It is not a perfect measure, but for most of us, BMI is a great way to gauge how our weight compares to recommended levels. To calculate your BMI:( weight in pounds / [ height in inches x height in inches ]) x 703. BMI values from 18.5 to 24.9 are healthy.
For an appointment with a Deborah specialist or more information about how Deborah Heart and Lung Center’ s leading-edge technologies can improve your quality of life, call 800-555-1990 or request info or an appointment at www. demanddeborah. org.
74 NEW JERSEY COPS ■ FEBRUARY 2018