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