HEALTH NUMBERS YOU SHOULD KNOW How Your Doctor Helps You Stay Healthy

Your primary care provider, or PCP, is one of your most important health resources. But what does a PCP do?

“As a PCP, I’m your health partner and coach,” explained Dr. Knic Rabara, a primary care physician with Houston Methodist Primary Care Group at West Hospital. “I can help diagnose your health problems, prevent future challenges and work with you to understand the best ways to support your ongoing good health.”

Your PCP performs annual check-ups and is usually the first stop if any illness or health concerns arise. They help you understand and reduce your risk for developing a wide variety of health problems. PCPs monitor your health and can recommend testing or refer you to specialty care when needed. Together, you and your PCP can help you continue to live the life you love.

“Seeing your doctor is the first step toward feeling better and healthier,” Rabara said. “Just like changing the oil in your car, working with your PCP can help make sure you stay in top condition.”

For a helpful next visit, be prepared to talk with your doctor about these important indicators.

Important Numbers To Know

Heart disease is the leading cause of death in both men and women in the U.S. By understanding your numbers, you can reduce your risk of developing cardiovascular disease as well as other health conditions, such as stroke, diabetes and obesity.

■ Blood Pressure: A measurement of the amount of force your heart needs to pump blood throughout your body. Blood pressure is measured by two numbers: systolic (when your heart pumps blood out) and diastolic (when your heart rests between beats).

✓ Healthy target: less than 120/80 mmHg

Risks: High blood pressure can negatively affect the function of your heart and other major organs, such as the kidney and brain. It’s also the leading cause of stroke and cardiovascular disease.

■ Body Mass Index (BMI): A measure of your weight divided by your height, squared.

✓ Healthy BMI target: 18.5 to 25 kg/m2

Risks: The higher your BMI, the greater your risk of heart disease, high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, metabolic syndrome and certain cancers.

■ Fasting Blood Sugar (FBS): A measure of the amount of glucose in your blood after fasting for eight to 12 hours.

✓ Healthy FBS target: below 100 mg/dL

Risks: Also called hyperglycemia, high blood sugar can damage the blood vessels and nerves that control your heart over time. It can also lead to type 2 diabetes.

■ Total Cholesterol: A measurement of cholesterol (a fat-like substance made in the liver and found in foods) in your blood.

✓ Healthy target: less than 200 mg/dL. Talk to your doctor to understand all of your cholesterol (lipid) levels, including LDL, HDL and triglycerides, and what they mean for your heart health.

Get To Know Your Care Team

Chances are you may have seen a nurse practitioner (NP) or physician assistant (PA) during a doctor’s office visit sometime in your lifetime. While they are not medical doctors, these highly trained health care providers work hand in hand with physicians as part of your health care team.

These providers have the expertise to diagnose and treat patients in a variety of specialties. They undergo years of medical training — in fact, most have a master’s degree or a doctorate. Working under the supervision of your doctor, PAs and NPs perform clinical exams, diagnose and treat illnesses, order labs and tests, and prescribe medications. Houston Methodist is home to dozens of such providers, who provide expert, compassionate care throughout the system.

Make an Appointment With a Primary Care Provider

Houston Methodist provides primary care that’s personalized for you and your unique needs. To find a primary care provider near you or make an appointment, visit houstonmethodist.org/pcg/west or call 713.441.7965.

Risks: Excess cholesterol can build up in the walls of the arteries, leading to narrowing or blockages in your vessels, which increases your risk of heart attack or stroke.

Some risk factors are genetic or out of your control, like family history, age and sex — but there’s still a lot you can do to keep your numbers in a healthy range such as a healthy diet, exercise, weight loss and sometimes medications.

How Your Pcp Can Help

The best way to know your numbers and understand how they impact your health is to visit your PCP. As your health partner, they can perform or order tests to check these important measurements and help you make a personalized plan to get back within healthy range if necessary. Plans can include increasing your activity level, adopting healthy eating habits, quitting smoking, limiting alcohol and learning how to check and manage your blood pressure.

Building a partnership with your PCP and working with them to know and manage your numbers can dramatically reduce your risk of heart disease and other health complications. •

YOUR HEALTH by the numbers

For these key measurements, keeping your results within these healthy ranges will go a long way toward maintaining your best heart health.

Blood Pressure: Less than 120/80 mmHg

Body Mass Index: 18.5 to 25 kg/m2

Fasting Blood Sugar: 80 to 99 mg/dL

Total Cholesterol: Less than 200 mg/dL

Talk with your primary care provider about these important tests and steps you can take to get back in a healthy range. If you have diabetes or other health conditions, your goal numbers may vary.