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Four Numbers to Know for Your Heart Health
Your heart: It’s the engine that helps your body function and allows you to enjoy all life has to offer — from favorite activities to relationships with friends and family members. This February, celebrate this amazing organ during National Heart Month. Heart disease affects approximately 84 million Americans and is the number one cause of death for men and women every year. Take control of your heart health by learning about four key numbers — and what you can do to keep them where they need to be.
risk factor in many life-threatening diseases, including diabetes, cancer, high cholesterol, metabolic syndrome and heart disease. Your BMI is a calculation based on your height and weight and can indicate whether you are overweight or obese.
• Stage 2 Hypertension: Higher than 140/90
lesterol level is less than 200 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL). An annual blood test can monitor your levels and help your doctor make recommendations tailored to your health.
People are considered overweight starting at a BMI of 25 and obese at 30 or higher.
15 Minutes Fifteen minutes is all Your doctor will help it takes to save a life. you understand what That’s how long it these new targets mean takes to get a simple for you and if any health screening that treatment is necessary. gives you the informaTreatment may include 3. Blood Sugar tion you need to live a a heart-healthy diet, High blood sugar levels heart healthy life. Talk 1. Blood Pressure may indicate that you High blood pressure is more physical activity to your primary care have diabetes or pre-di- provider about what a leading cause of heart or medication to help abetes, two conditions failure and stroke. Also control your blood preventive measures or pressure. that can greatly increase screenings are right for called hypertension, the risk of heart disease you. high blood pressure and stroke. The Amercan cause blockages in 2. Cholesterol Cholesterol is a natural- ican Heart Association Your doctor can also the arteries, reducing ly occurring substance considers diabetes to be assess your heart health the flow of oxygen to one of the major conthe heart and making it that is found in the at your annual physical, body and produced in trollable risk factors for an important part of work harder. the liver and other cells. heart disease. The American Heart managing your whole It can also come from Association released health. It’s just one eating foods that are A normal blood sugar new guidelines for of many reasons you high in fat. High levels level after fasting is 100 should see a doctor in blood pressure and of cholesterol can cause mg/dL. treatment. times of both health blockages of the arter• Normal: Under and wellness. ies, potentially leading 4.Body Mass Index 120/80 (BMI) • Elevated: 120-129/80 to a heart attack. Being overweight • Stage 1 Hyperten A desirable total choor obese is a major sion: 130-139/80-89
