1 in 3? Not Me!
http://www.pcwomensjournal.com/articles/123/1/1-in-3-Not-Me/Page1.html
Noel Peterson, MD
Dr. Noel Peterson can be reached at By Noel Peterson, MD
Published on 02/12/2011
February has traditionally been the month of red – it is the month that we celebrate love with Valentine’s Day, but more importantly it is the month that we celebrate the American Heart Association’s “Go Red for Women” campaign to increase awareness of cardiovascular disease in women.
February has traditionally been the month of red – it is the month that we celebrate love with Valentine’s Day, but more importantly it is the month that we celebrate the American Heart Association’s “Go Red for Women” campaign to increase awareness of cardiovascular disease in women.
Cardiovascular disease is the number 1 killer of women. 1 in every 3 women dies from cardiovascular disease, equaling to 1 death every 3 minutes.
This is the month that we owe it to ourselves to start taking responsibility for our health and well being Encompassing the basics such as getting enough sleep, exercising and embracing a healthier way of eating. We also need to be more aware of our health – one step that every woman can take is to “know her numbers”. This concept breaks down the major cardiovascular risk factors into numbers or goals that we should strive to obtain in order to maintain our cardiovascular health.
There are several risks factor that put one at increased risk of cardiovascular disease. These include high cholesterol, high blood pressure, diabetes, obesity, smoking, and family history of coronary artery disease.
* Cholesterol values vary depending on if you already have coronary artery disease, are diabetic, or the number of risk factors that you have for cardiovascular disease. As a general guideline for people without any cardiovascular risk factors, total cholesterol should be less than 200, triglycerides should be less than 150, hdl (good cholesterol) should be greater than 45, and ldl cholesterol (bad cholesterol – the lower the better) should be less than 100 or less than 70 if you are diabetic or have cardiovascular disease. Again these numbers vary according to your personal risk profile so please discuss with your doctor.
* Blood pressure goals are as follows; normal <120/80, prehypertension Systolic (top number) 120-139 with Diastolic (bottom number) 80-89.High BP is defined as Systolic (top number) >140 and Diastolic >90. For people with diabetes the ranges are slightly different with goals of Systolic <125 and Diastolic <85.
* For the diagnosis of diabetes a fasting blood glucose <100 is normal, 100-125 =Pre-diabetes, and >126 = Diabetes.
* Obesity is defined as a body mass index greater than 25 and/or abdominal circumference >35 inches.
* Smoking is the most modifiable risk factor – if you are a smoker quit today.
What can you do to prevent Heart Disease?
* Know your numbers
* Incorporate a healthy diet and exercise program in your lifestyle
* Don’t smoke
* Get tested for diabetes, hypertension, and hyperlipidemia
* Limit alcohol consumption
* Find healthy stress relievers
* Maintain a healthy weight
If your numbers are abnormal it is very important to discuss strategies with your doctor such as lifestyle changes and medications that can help. If you don’t know your numbers, make it your goal to learn them this year!
Cardiovascular disease is the number 1 killer of women. 1 in every 3 women dies from cardiovascular disease, equaling to 1 death every 3 minutes.
This is the month that we owe it to ourselves to start taking responsibility for our health and well being Encompassing the basics such as getting enough sleep, exercising and embracing a healthier way of eating. We also need to be more aware of our health – one step that every woman can take is to “know her numbers”. This concept breaks down the major cardiovascular risk factors into numbers or goals that we should strive to obtain in order to maintain our cardiovascular health.
There are several risks factor that put one at increased risk of cardiovascular disease. These include high cholesterol, high blood pressure, diabetes, obesity, smoking, and family history of coronary artery disease.
* Cholesterol values vary depending on if you already have coronary artery disease, are diabetic, or the number of risk factors that you have for cardiovascular disease. As a general guideline for people without any cardiovascular risk factors, total cholesterol should be less than 200, triglycerides should be less than 150, hdl (good cholesterol) should be greater than 45, and ldl cholesterol (bad cholesterol – the lower the better) should be less than 100 or less than 70 if you are diabetic or have cardiovascular disease. Again these numbers vary according to your personal risk profile so please discuss with your doctor.
* Blood pressure goals are as follows; normal <120/80, prehypertension Systolic (top number) 120-139 with Diastolic (bottom number) 80-89.High BP is defined as Systolic (top number) >140 and Diastolic >90. For people with diabetes the ranges are slightly different with goals of Systolic <125 and Diastolic <85.
* For the diagnosis of diabetes a fasting blood glucose <100 is normal, 100-125 =Pre-diabetes, and >126 = Diabetes.
* Obesity is defined as a body mass index greater than 25 and/or abdominal circumference >35 inches.
* Smoking is the most modifiable risk factor – if you are a smoker quit today.
What can you do to prevent Heart Disease?
* Know your numbers
* Incorporate a healthy diet and exercise program in your lifestyle
* Don’t smoke
* Get tested for diabetes, hypertension, and hyperlipidemia
* Limit alcohol consumption
* Find healthy stress relievers
* Maintain a healthy weight
If your numbers are abnormal it is very important to discuss strategies with your doctor such as lifestyle changes and medications that can help. If you don’t know your numbers, make it your goal to learn them this year!