Heart Health
It’s a Numbers Game

Sometimes it seems as if we're awash in a sea of numbers – phone numbers, Social Security numbers, PIN numbers. Who can remember them all?

But there are at least five more numbers you should learn – to help you lead a healthier, longer life. Blood pressure, cholesterol, blood sugar, body mass index (BMI) and your waist measurement are all important when it comes to keeping your heart healthy.

"Knowing those levels, knowing what they should be and achieving them is a pivotal first step toward outliving heart disease," says Richard Stein, M.D., speaking for the American Heart Association.

Blood Pressure

Blood pressure is the force blood places on artery walls when the heart beats and when it rests.

What is its role in heart disease? "High blood pressure commonly goes undetected, yet it is one of the most important indicators of heart disease and possible stroke. It is a simple and important measurement that people can do at home, in drug stores, free health fairs or at their healthcare provider's office," said Randall Hudspeth, MS, APRN-NP, Director of the Saint Alphonsus Heart and Vascular Center.

High blood pressure is often called the silent killer because there are commonly no symptoms, making regular blood pressure checks crucial. Uncontrolled high blood pressure causes the vessel walls to gradually weaken until they can burst and result in a bleed, which can be fatal if it is in the brain.

What's the ideal number? A normal blood pressure reading is less than 120 mm Hg systolic (the top number) and less than 80 mm Hg diastolic (the bottom number). High blood pressure, or hypertension, is defined as 140/90 mm Hg or higher. Numbers between normal and high are considered prehypertension.

What can you do to control it? "Controlling your weight and maintaining some form of regular exercise routine, such as walking are two of the most important things you can do to control blood pressure," says Hudspeth. Focus on eating fruits, vegetables and low-fat dairy products. Moderate your consumption of total fat, and limit saturated fat and cholesterol. Limit salt intake to no more than the equivalent of a teaspoon daily. Maintain a healthy weight. At the same time, work up to at least 30 minutes of brisk exercise each day.

CHOLESTEROL

Cholesterol is a fatlike substance in the blood that's involved in several important functions, such as building cell walls, aiding digestion and producing hormones.

What is its role in heart disease? Hudspeth explains, "Blood cholesterol levels provide an indication of potential plaque presence and build-up in your arteries, which can lead to a narrowing or blockage of the artery. If the artery is in the heart and there is a decrease in blood flow to the heart muscle itself, angina chest pain or a heart attack can result."

The two main types of cholesterol – low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) – play different roles. LDL is considered "bad" cholesterol since it can form fatty deposits inside arteries that nourish the heart or brain. HDL is considered "good" cholesterol since it helps clear arteries of these deposits.

What's the ideal number? The lower the LDL number the better. The American Heart Association says an LDL of less than 100 milligrams per deciliter of blood is optimal, 130 to 159 mg/dL is borderline high and anything above 160 mg is considered high.

Because HDL helps protect against heart disease, higher numbers are better. An average man has an HDL of 40 to 50 mg/dL, while women average between 50 and 60 mg/dL. Levels below 40 mg/dL are considered low for both men and women and increase the risk of heart disease.

What can you do to control it? If you need to lower your LDL, switch to a diet low in saturated fat and cholesterol, manage your weight, and exercise. If these lifestyle changes alone aren't enough, medications may help. If you need to raise your HDL, focus on exercising for at least 30 to 60 minutes a day on most or all days of the week.

PUTTING IT ALL TOGETHER

Higher blood pressure and cholesterol in addition to blood sugar, BMI and waist measurement are all associated with increased risk of heart disease. Making changes in our lives can help control all of them.

Hudspeth concludes, "Most people first choose the conservative treatment options of diet and exercise. Because these have varying levels of success, medications may be added to help control lipid levels, depending on a person's overall health, liver enzyme studies and tolerance of the medicine."

.....Back