ADVERTISING: Advertorial — The four numbers you need to know

Of all the important numbers in your life, there are four that are crucial for understanding your overall physical well-being and health, especially related to your risk for heart attack and stroke.

Blood pressure. When blood pressure rises above 120/80 mmHg, the heart muscle must pump harder to do its job. The harder it pumps, the thicker it becomes, causing the heart to enlarge or weaken. A thick heart muscle cannot pump efficiently. There is also evidence that high blood pressure rushing through the arteries damages the artery walls. The higher the blood pressure becomes, the more dangerous it is. You may be unaware this is happening since rising blood pressure produces no symptoms.

Cholesterol. Cholesterol is a waxy substance found in your body’s cells. It is an important constituent of cell membranes and is the raw material your body uses to make important vitamins and hormones. The vast majority of cholesterol in the body is made in the liver, while the rest is absorbed from the diet. Cholesterol is transported in the blood attached to carrier proteins called lipoproteins. These lipoproteins are described by their density. HDL (high-density lipoprotein) have been described as “good” and LDL (low-density lipoprotein) “bad.” This is a simplistic and misleading view. LDL cholesterol is separated to type A and type B. LDL-A is a buoyant, fluffy molecule that does no harm unless it is damaged by oxidation. LDL-B is a small, hard, dense molecule that promotes atherosclerosis. The most important cholesterol particle of all is Lp(a). Lp(a) is a very small, highly inflammatory particle that leads to blood clotting. Advanced blood tests today can measure these to give a better idea of your cardiovascular risk.

Fasting Blood Glucose. The amount of sugar in your blood after fasting for eight hours can determine the likelihood that you will develop diabetes. The association between diabetes and heart disease is so strong that, if you have diabetes, there is a good chance you will develop heart disease too, even if you have no other risk factors. Blood glucose levels should be less than 100 mg/dL. If your level is higher, losing weight will often bring it down.

Body mass index. BMI is a measure of your weight when adjusted for your height. Excess fat causes the heart to work harder and raises blood pressure. Ultimately, too much extra fat can cause a constellation of risk factors and lead to diabetes, a major driver of heart disease. Waist circumference is also an important measure. Abdominal fat is associated with a higher level of inflammation in the body.

Unlike your family history and ethnicity, your blood pressure, cholesterol levels, blood sugar level and BMI are factors that can be altered by lifestyle choices. Exercise, clean diet, and stress management can lead to positive changes in these values. If you are not sure where to start, ask your doctor for assistance.

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For more information, contact Dr. Wendy Cunningham at haydenhealth@gmail.com.