Have you ever went to your
doctor’s visit or got your blood work back and asked yourself, what do all of
these numbers mean and what ones are really important to stay healthy? “There are five numbers that strongly
correlate with aging, heart disease, stroke, memory loss, and sexual health,”
says Michael Roizen, MD.
Here is the top 5 list for optimal health:
1.
Blood pressure-
Ideal number: 115/75, this level will lower your risk of disability and premature
death. High blood pressure is called the "silent killer" because it
often has no warning signs or symptoms, and many people don't realize they have
it. That's why it's important to get your blood pressure checked regularly.
2.
Cholesterol-
Ideal numbers: LDL (“bad”) cholesterol under 100; HDL
(“good”) over 50. Particles called lipoproteins carry
cholesterol in the blood. There are two kinds of lipoproteins you need to know
about: LDL and HDL.
Low-density
lipoproteins (LDL) cholesterol makes up the majority of the body's cholesterol.
LDL is known as "bad" cholesterol because having high levels can lead
to a buildup in the arteries and result in heart disease.
High-density
lipoproteins (HDL) cholesterol absorbs cholesterol and carries it back to the
liver, which flushes it from the body. High levels of HDL, or "good"
cholesterol, reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke.
Get a blood test
Eat a healthy diet
Exercise regularly
Don't smoke
Treat high cholesterol
3.
C- Reactive Protein- Ideal number: less than 1 CRP,
rises when you have inflammation
somewhere in your body, and chronic inflammation can mean trouble.
C-reactive protein is considered one of
the best measures of the acute-phase response to an infectious disease or other
cause of tissue damage and inflammation. It is used to correct the iron status
measures, which are affected by inflammation. It can also be used to measure
the body’s response to inflammation from chronic conditions, such as arthritis,
and environmental exposures to agents such as tobacco smoke.
4.
HBA1C- Ideal
number: 5.6% or lower. This test
measures how much sugar is attached to your hemoglobin, an oxygen carrying
protein in the blood. The higher the
number, the worse your blood sugar control and the more likely you are to
develop diabetes or other problems.
5.
Waist
Circumference- Ideal number: half
(or less) of your height in inches.
Wrap a tape measure around your middle at your belly button, and then
suck in and measure.
So next time you go to the
doctor take note of these numbers and stay healthy not only for yourself but
your loved ones. You only have only one life, so just love it and it will love
you back.
Be Well,
Stacey
Resources:
Michael Roizen, MD, chief
wellness officer at Cleveland clinic
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