HEALTH & WELLNESS
IT’S NATIONAL HEART MONTH:
Know Your Numbers!
How can you know if you’re at risk for diabetes, HEALTHY LIVING TIPS FROM
LDL is the “bad” cholesterol, and lower is better.
heart disease and other chronic diseases? There is a
It contributes to fatty buildups in arteries (athero-
system of numbers we can use to tell us! By knowing
sclerosis).
your numbers, you can take action to make positive
HDL is the “good” cholesterol. HDL acts as a
changes that will help prevent the onset of chronic
scavenger, carrying LDL cholesterol away from the
health conditions.
arteries and back to the liver, where it’s broken down and passed
Here are some of the numbers that are important for you to know:
from the body.
Blood pressure. People with untreated high blood pressure face
Triglyceride levels vary by age and sex. The most common type
greater lifetime health risks. Your blood pressure is also one of the
of fat in the body, triglycerides store excess energy from your diet.
strongest markers for heart disease risk, measured as two numbers.
People with high triglycerides often have a high total cholesterol
Systolic pressure is the upper number, representing the pressure
level. Many people with heart disease or diabetes also have high tri-
when the heart is contracting. Diastolic is the second number and
glyceride levels.
represents the pressure when the heart is at rest between beats.
Blood sugar. A glucose test is commonly used to diagnose the
New guidelines on blood pressure indicate lower numbers than
presence of diabetes. A fasting blood sugar (taken after you haven’t
previously accepted:
eaten for 12 hours) should be below 100 mg/dL.
• Normal: Less than 120/80 mm Hg;
Body mass index (BMI). This will give you a better idea of your
• Elevated: Systolic between 120-129 and diastolic less than 80
health risk than weight alone and is calculated from two other
• Stage 1: Systolic between 130-139 or diastolic between 80-89
numbers that you probably know already: your weight and height.
• Stage 2: Systolic at least 140 or diastolic at least 90 mm Hg
It is not a perfect measure, but for most of us, BMI is a great way to
• Hypertensive crisis: Systolic over 180 and/or diastolic over
gauge how our weight compares to recommended levels.
120
To calculate your BMI: (weight in pounds / [height in inches x
People with untreated high blood pressure face greater lifetime
height in inches]) x 703. BMI values from 18.5 to 24.9 are healthy.
health risks.
For an appointment with a Deborah specialist or more information
Cholesterol levels. Too much “bad” cholesterol can lead to a
about how Deborah Heart and Lung Center’s leading-edge technolo-
hardening of your arteries, putting you at risk for a heart attack or
stroke. The American Heart Association recommends getting your
gies can improve your quality of life call 855-646-3484 or request info
cholesterol levels checked every four to six years.
or an appointment at www.demanddeborah.org
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NEW JERSEY COPS
■ FEBRUARY 2019