According to a recent study over half of the cases of heart disease could be prevented. Even small lifestyle changes have a big effect on your overall heart health, however it all starts with knowing the results of four critical tests.
Know Your Numbers
Certain lab test results show the condition of your heart health and your risk of having a “heart-related event”– not something you want to experience. In particular you should know your numbers from these tests:
- Cholesterol (HDL, LDL and Total)
- Triglycerides
- Blood pressure
- Body Mass Index (BMI)
Once you have the baseline numbers, you and your doctor can create a plan to get the ones out of whack back in line.
Cholesterol
The body makes and needs cholesterol in order to survive, but when the good HDL gets too low or the bad LDL too high, it increases your risk for a heart attack. As far as the numbers, your LDL should be less than 130mg/dL, HDL less than 40mg/dL and your total less than 200mg/dL.
Staying at a healthy weight, not smoking, exercising regularly and eating a healthy diet of lean meats, fresh fruits and vegetables, and whole grain, will help bring your numbers back in line. If it doesn’t, your doctor may put you on a statin-based medication.
Triglycerides
This measurement shows the fats in your blood. A good number is around 150mg/dL. Just by lowering the amount of saturated fat you eat and losing weight, you can lower your number by 30% to 50%.
Blood Pressure
Blood pressure is the force exerted on the blood vessels by your heart pumping blood throughout your body. Blood pressure is expressed as a maximum pressure (systolic) over a minimum pressure (diastolic) and displayed in millimeters of mercury. Ideally, it should be 120/80mm Hg.
If your blood pressure is too high, try lowering it by losing weight if you are overweight, and by exercising and eating a healthy diet low in sodium. If it is still not within tolerance, your doctor may have to put you on a blood pressure medication to get it down.
Body Mass Index (BMI)
If your BMI is over 24.9, you are overweight for your height and have an increased risk of getting heart disease or diabetes. You can lower your number by eating a healthy diet, losing weight and exercising.
Did you notice that most of the measurements are affected by eating a healthy diet, exercising and losing weight? Doing those three things, along with stopping smoking and limiting your intake of alcohol to one drink a day, will go a long way to getting your numbers back in check without having to go on any type of medication.
