Healthy Living Tips from
The New Jersey Police Chief Magazine | January 2021
HEALTHY TIP : Know Your Numbers
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 is the second number and is the pressure when the heart is at rest between beats .
Here are the guidelines for blood pressure : · Normal : Less than 120 / 80 mm Hg ; · Elevated : Systolic between 120-129 and diastolic less than 80 · High blood pressure , Stage 1 : Systolic between 130-139 or diastolic between 80-89 · High blood pressure , Stage 2 : Systolic 140 or higher or diastolic 90 or higher · Hypertensive crisis : Systolic over 180 and / or diastolic over 120
People with untreated high blood pressure face greater lifetime health risks .
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 cholesterol levels checked every four to six years .
· LDL is the “ bad ” cholesterol , and lower is better . It contributes 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 . As 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 ( taken after you haven ’ t eaten for 12 hours ) should be below 100 mg / dL .
Listen in to Deborah physician Dr . Alan Ghaly to learn more about your numbers . To make an appointment to have your numbers checked by a cardiologist visit www . DemandDeborah . org or call 855-646-3484 .
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