February is American Heart Month. Heart disease is responsible for nearly 25% of all deaths in the United States. Take this time (as you should during the rest of the year too) to make sure you get enough physical activity, eat healthier and get/keep your blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar controlled.
Here are a few numbers to remember:
Total cholesterol: < 200 mg/dL
LDL ("bad" cholesterol): < 100 mg/dL (although 100-129 mg/dL is acceptable for people with no health issues
HDL ("good" cholesterol): ≥ 60 mg/dL is optimal; < 40 mg/dL is considered a major risk factor for heart disease
Normal blood pressure: < 120/80 mmHg
Elevated blood pressure: Systolic 120-129 mmHg / Diastolic < 80 mmHg
Stage 1 Hypertension: Systolic 130-139 mmHg / Diastolic 80-89 mmHg
Stage 2 Hypertension: 140/90 mmHg
Hypertensive crisis: > 180/ > 120 mmHg
Normal Hemoglobin A1C: 4% - 5.6%
Pre-Diabetic: 5.7% - 6.4%
Diabetic: ≥ 6.5%
Waist Circumference:
Men ≤ 40 inches
Women ≤ 3…
Here are a few numbers to remember:
Total cholesterol: < 200 mg/dL
LDL ("bad" cholesterol): < 100 mg/dL (although 100-129 mg/dL is acceptable for people with no health issues
HDL ("good" cholesterol): ≥ 60 mg/dL is optimal; < 40 mg/dL is considered a major risk factor for heart disease
Normal blood pressure: < 120/80 mmHg
Elevated blood pressure: Systolic 120-129 mmHg / Diastolic < 80 mmHg
Stage 1 Hypertension: Systolic 130-139 mmHg / Diastolic 80-89 mmHg
Stage 2 Hypertension: 140/90 mmHg
Hypertensive crisis: > 180/ > 120 mmHg
Normal Hemoglobin A1C: 4% - 5.6%
Pre-Diabetic: 5.7% - 6.4%
Diabetic: ≥ 6.5%
Waist Circumference:
Men ≤ 40 inches
Women ≤ 3…
