What's Your Number?

Back to school is the time when parents run around getting clothes, school supplies, and sport physical exams completed for their children. This year, schedule a physical exam for yourself.

In my opinion, you should have a physical exam every year. It may seem like too much, but if your family's health history is anything like mine (diabetes, heart disease, cancer, and high blood pressure top my list), a simple physical and blood test could prevent disease and save your life!

Cholesterol numbers can be confusing, which is why you should review the numbers with your doctor. However, in a nut shell cholesterol readings are composed of LDL (low- density lipoproteins and are know as bad cholesterol), HDL ( high-density lipoproteins and are the good cholesterol), and triglycerides (fat in your blood) as well as total cholesterol. LDL readings below 100 are very good, 100-129 good, 130-159 borderline, 160-189 high, and 190 and above is very high. HDL readings above 60 are great and below 40 poor. For triglycerides, below 150 is normal, 150-199 is borderline high, 200-499 high, and over 500 is very high. Below 200 is a good total cholesterol, 200-239 is borderline high, and above 240 is high. Heart attacks, heart disease, and strokes are a few complications of high cholesterol. And...there are NO symptoms of high cholesterol, you MUST know your numbers!

Blood pressure is known as the silent killer, and as a former Community Program Director for the American Heart Association, I have educated so many people on the topic. A blood pressure reading consists of a top number (systolic) and bottom number (diastolic). A normal blood pressure is considered to be 120 or lower/80 or lower. Prehypertension is classified as 120-139/80-89. Stage 1 hypertension is 140-159/90-99. Stage 2 hypertension is 160 or above/100 or above. Heart attack, stroke, heart failure, and aneurysms are complications of high blood pressure.

Blood sugar is the last number that I have checked yearly to prevent diabetes.  Normal blood sugar is 70-100. Early diabetes is 100-126. Established diabetes is above 126.

Schedule your physical exam. Knowing your numbers, adopting a healthy lifestyle and taking preventive measures can save your life!