Learn
these important numbers to improve your heart-healthy knowledge.
120/80
mmHg -- Blood Pressure
These two numbers represent the pressure in your arteries as your heart pumps (systolic pressure; the upper number) and the pressure between beats, when the heart is at rest (diastolic pressure; the bottom number). High blood pressure, defined as at or above 140/85, greatly increases heart attack risk. Between 120/80 and 140/85 is considered pre-hypertension, which research suggests is more harmful than was previously believed, so aim to keep yours at or below 120/80.
These two numbers represent the pressure in your arteries as your heart pumps (systolic pressure; the upper number) and the pressure between beats, when the heart is at rest (diastolic pressure; the bottom number). High blood pressure, defined as at or above 140/85, greatly increases heart attack risk. Between 120/80 and 140/85 is considered pre-hypertension, which research suggests is more harmful than was previously believed, so aim to keep yours at or below 120/80.
50
mg/dL (women) or 40 mg/dL (men) -- HDL cholesterol
HDL cholesterol is the “good” cholesterol that actually helps protect you from heart disease by helping to remove cholesterol from the blood. Relatively high HDL levels are heart protective.
HDL cholesterol is the “good” cholesterol that actually helps protect you from heart disease by helping to remove cholesterol from the blood. Relatively high HDL levels are heart protective.
100
mg/dL -- LDL Cholesterol
LDL cholesterol is the bad cholesterol that contributes to heart disease by clogging the arteries. Although some charts indicate up to 160 mg/dL is acceptable for people with little risk of heart disease, optimal levels are below 100 mg/dL regardless of individual risk. People at very high risk of heart disease, including those with active disease, should aim for an even lower number, 70mg/dL.
LDL cholesterol is the bad cholesterol that contributes to heart disease by clogging the arteries. Although some charts indicate up to 160 mg/dL is acceptable for people with little risk of heart disease, optimal levels are below 100 mg/dL regardless of individual risk. People at very high risk of heart disease, including those with active disease, should aim for an even lower number, 70mg/dL.
200
mg/dL -- Total Cholesterol
This number is somewhat less important than knowing the breakdown between LDL and HDL, because even if your total number appears healthy, if it includes low HDL then you are still at increased risk. Just the same, heart-healthy total cholesterol is below 200 mg/dL.
This number is somewhat less important than knowing the breakdown between LDL and HDL, because even if your total number appears healthy, if it includes low HDL then you are still at increased risk. Just the same, heart-healthy total cholesterol is below 200 mg/dL.
150
mg/dL -- Triglyderides
Triglycerides are another type of fat. You body makes them when it digests sugars, and evidence suggests that this number might be an even better predictor of heart disease risk than cholesterol. Risks increase above 150 mg/dL, so keep yours below that.
Triglycerides are another type of fat. You body makes them when it digests sugars, and evidence suggests that this number might be an even better predictor of heart disease risk than cholesterol. Risks increase above 150 mg/dL, so keep yours below that.
100
mg/dL -- Fasting Glucose
Diabetes greatly increases your risk for coronary heart disease. Do your best to avoid developing it, and if you do, keep it under control, including fasting glucose levels under 100 mg/dL.
Diabetes greatly increases your risk for coronary heart disease. Do your best to avoid developing it, and if you do, keep it under control, including fasting glucose levels under 100 mg/dL.
7% --
Hemoglobin A1c (Hg A1c)
Hemoglobin A1c levels measure long-term control of blood sugar levels, and are an even better indicator of heart disease risk than fasting glucose. Currently 7% is the accepted safe upper limit.
Hemoglobin A1c levels measure long-term control of blood sugar levels, and are an even better indicator of heart disease risk than fasting glucose. Currently 7% is the accepted safe upper limit.
25
kg/m2 -- Body Mass Index (BMI)
Despite minor flaws (it cannot account for a higher than normal percentage of muscle mass), BMI provides a useful gauge for determining a heart-healthy weight. Keep your BMI just below 25.
Despite minor flaws (it cannot account for a higher than normal percentage of muscle mass), BMI provides a useful gauge for determining a heart-healthy weight. Keep your BMI just below 25.
35
inches (women) or 40 inches (men) -- Waist Circumference
Studies suggest that people with larger waists are more likely to develop heart disease.
Studies suggest that people with larger waists are more likely to develop heart disease.
If you
don’t know your numbers, see your doctor for a checkup and blood tests. Once
you know how your numbers compare to the ideal, formulate a plan to bring any
out-of-range numbers back in line.
#Cardiology, #Gurgaon,
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