1. Presented By: Nancy Health Coach
Know Your Numbers!
Presented By:
Nancy
Health Coach

2. Blood Pressure…

3. Blood Pressure
Blood Pressure is a measurement of the force applied to the walls of the arteries as the heart pumps blood through the body.
Systolic pressure is the force in the arteries when the heart beats
Diastolic pressure is the force in the arteries when the heart is at rest
Written as Systolic/Diastolic

4. Blood Pressure Low Blood Pressure: Normal: Pre-hypertension:
≤90 / ≤60
Normal:
≤120 / ≤80
Pre-hypertension:
/ 80-89
Hypertension:
Stage 1: / 90-99
Stage 2: ≥160 / ≥100

5. Managing Your Blood Pressure
Exercise
Reduce Your Salt Intake (Current recommendation is less than 2,400 mg/day)
Reduce Your Saturated Fat Intake
Lose Weight
DASH Diet (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension)
Reduce Stress
Quit Smoking
Drink Alcohol in Moderation, if at all
Monitor Your Blood Pressure Regularly
Stay Hydrated
Increase Potassium in Your Diet
When Necessary-Medication

6. Cholesterol…

7. Cholesterol
Cholesterol is a soft, fat-like, waxy substance found in the blood stream and in all your body’s cells.

8. LDL Cholesterol A.K.A. “Bad” cholesterol
Too much LDL in the blood can slowly build up the inner walls of the arteries that feed the heart and brain
Along with other substances, a plaque is formed, narrowing the arteries & making them inflexible
This condition is known as Atherosclerosis

9. LDL Cholesterol LDL: Optimal: less than 100 mg/dL
Near/Above Optimal: 100 to129 mg/dL
Borderline High: 130 to 159 mg/dL
High: 160 to 189 mg/dL
Very High: 190 mg/dL and above

10. HDL Cholesterol A.K.A. “Good” cholesterol
Medical experts believe HDL cholesterol tends to carry cholesterol away from the arteries & into the liver where it’s passed from the body
Some experts think HDL removes excess cholesterol from arterial plaque, slowing its buildup

11. HDL Cholesterol HDL: Higher levels are better
Low levels (>40 mg/dL for men, >50 mg/dL for women) puts you at higher risk for heart disease
In the average man, HDL levels range from mg/dL
In the average woman, HDL levels range from mg/dL
An HDL cholesterol of 60 mg/dL or higher gives some protection against heart disease

12. Triglycerides A form of fat in the body
Elevated numbers can be due to overweight/obesity, physical inactivity, cigarette smoking, excess alcohol consumption, diet high in carbohydrates

13. Triglycerides Triglycerides: Normal: less than 150 mg/dL
Borderline-High: mg/dL
High: mg/dL
Very High: 500 mg/dL

14. Total Blood (Serum) Cholesterol Levels
Desirable—Less than 200mg/dL
Borderline-High Risk— mg/dL
High Risk—240 mg/dL and over

15. Cholesterol Ratio The ratio of total cholesterol to HDL cholesterol
Obtained by dividing the HDL cholesterol level into the total cholesterol
Example: if a person has a total cholesterol of 200 mg/dL and an HDL cholesterol level of 50 mg/dL, the ratio would be 4:1
The goal is to keep the ratio below 5:1
The optimum ratio is 3.5:1

16. Managing Your Cholesterol
Eat a heart-healthy diet
Get regular physical activity
Avoid tobacco smoke
Work with your doctor to create a prevention and/or treatment plan
Make lifestyle changes
Take medication, if necessary (as prescribed by a doctor)
Limit alcohol to no more than 1 drink per day for women and 2 drinks per day for men

17. Blood Glucose…

18. Blood Glucose
The term used for the amount of glucose in the blood. Glucose, transported via the bloodstream, is the primary source of energy for the body’s cells.

19. Blood Glucose Levels are tightly regulated in the body
Normally, the blood glucose level is maintained between 4 and 8 mmol/L (70 to 150 mg/dL in the US)
The total amount of glucose circulating in the blood is therefore about 3.3 to 7g (assuming an ordinary adult blood volume of 5 liters)
Hypoglycemia is a condition where blood glucose levels drop too low
Hyperglycemia is a condition where blood glucose levels remain too high; Long-term hyperglycemia leads to diabetes mellitus, or failure of blood sugar regulation

20. Understanding Your Results
There are four primary blood sugar tests, and the results vary depending on the test:
Fasting Blood Sugar Test
Measures the blood sugar after fasting for at least 8 hours or overnight
Lower than 100 mg/dL is Normal
mg/dL is Pre-Diabetes
Type I or Type II diabetes is consistent with results of 126 mg/dL or higher, but generally requires repeated results
Results of 200 mg/dL or higher are interpreted as having diabetes

21. Understanding Your Results
Random Blood Sugar Test
Measures the blood sugar at any point in time
Lower than 100 mg/dL is Normal
Higher than 100 mg/dL but lower than 199 mg/dL is Pre-Diabetes
200 mg/dL or higher suggests Type I or Type II diabetes
Oral Glucose Tolerance Test
Measures your body’s response to sugar
Generally used with pregnant women to determine if they have gestational diabetes
Lower than 140 mg/dL is Normal
140 mg/dL to 199 mg/dL is considered Pre-Diabetes
200 mg/dL or higher is considered Type I or Type II diabetes

22. Understanding Your Results
Glycated Hemoglobin (A1C) Test
This test is for diabetics and gauges how well you’re managing your diabetes
Reflects your average blood sugar level for the past two or three months
For people without diabetes, the normal range is 4-6 percent
An A1C level lower than 7 percent is the target for people with diabetes
An A1C level lower than 6 percent is the target for people with diabetes, who are pregnant or have other health concerns
An A1C level higher than 7 percent may indicate a change is needed in your diabetes treatment plan

23. Improving Your Blood Glucose Levels
Maintain near-normal levels
Healthier food choices
Use the glycemic index to assist in determining which foods to eat
Combining foods with a larger glycemic index with foods of a lower one can help balance out their effect on blood glucose levels
30 minutes/day of moderate, physical activity

24. Glycemic Index
The Glycemic Index ranks carbohydrates according to their effect on blood glucose levels
Low GI: 55 and under
Medium GI: 56 to 69
High GI: 70 and above

25. Know Your Numbers Q & A