“Superior doctors prevent the disease, mediocre doctors treat the disease before it is evident, inferior doctors treat the full-blown disease.”
Huang Dee Nai-Chang, from the first known Chinese medical text, ca2600 B.C
The New Year brings many thoughts of resolutions and
self-improvement. But where do you
currently stand as far as your cardiovascular risk?
According to Bradley Bale MD, author of the new book Beat the Heart Attack Gene
there are five risk factors to be aware of to determine your
risk for both cardiovascular disease and Metabolic Syndrome, or insulin
resistance.
Making the call is a bit like Baseball. Three strikes and you are out. The five critical factors are:
- Waist Circumference: A waist measurement of above 35 inches for women and 40 inches for men is a strike against you. A simple way to measure the circumference of your waist just above your pelvic bone.
- Blood Pressure (Hypertension): According to Dr.Bale if you blood pressure is 130/85mmHg or higher you have a strike against you. Hypertension affects one in three Americans. Not only does it damage blood vessels, increasing risk for cornary artery disease and heart failure, but it can also lead to kidney failure. High blood pressure is the leading risk factor for stroke.
- HDL Levels (High density cholesterol): A HDL level below 50 mg/ml for women and 40 mg/ml for men is a strike against you. This is the good cholesterol in your body.
- Triglyceride Levels: Like cholesterol, triglycerides are a fat (lipid) in your blood when you eat. High triglycerides are often a warning sign of other disorders that can boost the threat of heart attack and stroke including obesity and poorly controlled diabetes. If your triglycerides level is 150 mg/dl or above you have acquired another strike.
- Fasting Blood Sugar Level: The glucose (sugar) in you blood comes from the crabs in your diet, the body’s main source of energy. Fasting means you have not consumed anything with calories for at least 10 hours. A level of 100 mg/dl or higher during a fast counts as a strike. Fasting blood sugar of a 100mg/dl to 125mg/dl indicates that you are prediabetic. If the level is above125 mg/dl, you actually have diabetes.
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Get informed about your health! If you are
unaware where you stand for the factors
above ask to get your blood work done.
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Labels: Dentist, East Lansing, Health, Heart