Heart Health By The Numbers

Cardiovascular disease is the number one killer of men and women worldwide, but you can significantly reduce that risk by knowing what risk factors you have and what you can do to reduce them. There are modifiable risk factors or factors you can control and non-modifiable risk factors that you cannot. A non-modifiable risk factor would be family history. If an immediate male family member has a history of heart problems before the age of 55, or 65 for female family members, you are automatically at a higher risk of developing cardiovascular disease. Otherwise here are the things you can control.

Heart Health Risk By The Numbers.

Blood Pressure- If consistently over 140/90 seek the advice of your primary care physician for an evaluation. Ideally less than 120/80.

Steps to Reduce Blood Pressure-Regular Exercise, Reduce Salt Intake, and Maintain a Healthy Weight

Cholesterol- LDL(Bad)-Less than 100 HDL(Good)- Greater than 40 Total- Less than 200 Triglycerides- Less than 150

Steps to Reduce Cholesterol-Regular Exercise, Reduce Dietary Cholesterol, and Maintain a Healthy Weight. "Rule Of 40" a 40 point reduction can cut your risk of a cardiac event in half!

Diabetes-Fasting Blood Sugar below 100.

Steps to Reduce Blood Sugar-Regular Exercise, Eat a Balanced Diet, and Maintain a Healthy Weight.

Obesity-Body Mass Index(BMI) of 20-24.9. 25 or higher means increased risk of cardiovascular disease. To figure your BMI divide weight in kilograms(1 kg = 2.2 lbs) by height in meters(1 meter = 39.37 inches) squared.

Steps To Reduce Obesity-Regular Exercise, Eat a Balanced Diet.

Two more risk factors that are modifiable but don't have any numbers associated with them are smoking and a sedentary lifestyle. Obviously the steps to reduce these risks would be to quit smoking and increase your physical activity. I'm sure by now you've noticed a pattern that eating a healthy diet, exercsing regularly, and maintaining a healthy body weight are the answer to many of our nations leading diseases. If you follow "The Biggest Loser" you noticed how Jerry basically reclaimed his life by taking control of the risk factors that are modifiable. So use his story or any story you need to find the inspiration to add 24 years to your life like Jerry.