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Monday, February 24, 2014

5 Numbers to Know for Good Heart Health

We all have a lot of numbers in our heads, but heart experts at the Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center say there are 5 you need to know to help keep your cardiovascular system healthy.
1. Blood Pressure - A normal blood pressure is under 120/80. Talk to your doctor if it's higher than that. Simple life-style changes can help lower it.
2. Waist Circumference - Fat carried around the abdomen increases the risk of heart disease and type 2 diabetes. Measure your waist at the belly button.Women should be at least less than 35 inches and men less than 40 inches.
3. Cholesterol - It's important to know your total cholesterol number and your LDL number. LDL is the bad cholesterol that can cause problems. A healthy cholesterol number is below 200, and a healthy LDL number is below 100.
4. Blood Sugar - This indicates how much glucose is in the blood. High levels can cause diabetes, which increases the risk for cardiovascular disease. A healthy fasting blood sugar number is under 100 after not eating for 8 hours.
5. BMI (Body Mass Index) - This number indicates if you're at a healthy weight based on your age and height. Use an online BMI calculator to get your number. A BMI less than 18.5 is underweight; below 25 is normal; 25 through 29.9 is overweight; 30+ is considered obese.
According to the Centers for Disease Control, heart disease is the leading cause of death for both men and women in the U.S., killing about 600,000 Americans each year.
If you can reduce any of the above numbers, you can lower your overall lifetime risk for cardiovascular disease.
Article courtesy of Epoch Times

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