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If you or a loved one believe that you may be having a heart attack or stroke, do NOT put off getting necessary care – it could be a difference of life and death.
CALL 911 IF YOU ARE HAVING A MEDICAL EMERGENCY.
Hospitals are still the safest place for you to be when medical emergencies strike. Don’t hesitate or doubt: Call 911 at the first sign of a heart attack or stroke.
If you have concerns about your health and would like to request an appointment with a LifeBridge Health physician, cardiologist or other specialist, please call 443-658-0877.
See some of our simple recipes that are both healthy for your heart and delicious.
Relevant articles brought to you by the American Heart Association and LifeBridge Health.
Learn about our free virtual health and wellness sessions that you can view from the comfort of your home.
The American Heart Association strengthens the fight against serious heart conditions by supporting and funding rigorous scientific research.
Hospitals are still the safest place for you to be when medical emergencies strike. Don’t hesitate or doubt: Call 911 at the first sign of a heart attack or stroke.
How do you know if your blood pressure is too high or too low, if your cholesterol is within a healthy range, or whether you are actually overweight? Knowing the numbers of key health measures can help you to know if you need to make some changes for the benefit of your current and future health.
Know and understand your blood pressure numbers to make sure they are not too high. Blood pressure numbers include:
You often see blood pressure numbers written with:
the systolic number above such as 120 the diastolic number below 80 mmHg
or
the systolic number first/the diastolic number second, such as 120/80 mmHg.
The mmHg is millimeters of mercury, which is the unit used to measure blood pressure. Normal blood pressure should be less than 130/80.
If you are aged 50 or younger you should have a blood pressure test every two years. If you are older than 50, a blood pressure check every year is recommended.
Cholesterol is a fatty substance produced naturally by the body and found in blood. The liver makes about two-thirds of cholesterol. Much also comes from foods, especially those high in saturated fats. Cholesterol is essential for the function of every cell in the human body, but too much is a problem.
Cholesterol consists of:
LDL cholesterol is known as 'bad' cholesterol because it tends to clog blood vessels, which can lead to cardiovascular disease. When a blood cholesterol reading is high, it usually means LDL levels are high. Saturated fat in the diet (eg, fatty meat, butter, cheese) can increase LDL levels.
HDL cholesterol is known as 'good' cholesterol and can help unclog blood vessels. High HDL levels are a good sign. HDL levels can be increased by eating more polyunsaturated fats (eg, safflower oil, salmon, walnuts, sunflower seeds).
Another kind of fat found in the bloodstream is called triglycerides. When you have a cholesterol test, the test may also measure your level of triglycerides. Fats in food form triglycerides; these are absorbed into the blood and then either burned for energy or deposited into the body's fat stores.
A certain amount of cholesterol is necessary for the normal functioning of the body, but too much of it is dangerous, especially for the heart. There are general guidelines that help you to know if your cholesterol is too high; however, other factors such as family history and cultural background should also be considered when deciding if your cholesterol is too high.
Generally, it is recommended that if your cholesterol is heading towards 6.0 or more, you will need to take action to reduce it. Other figures to be aware of are your good and bad cholesterol; these are also important in working out your overall heart disease risk.
If you are older than 45, it is recommended that you have a cholesterol check every five years. If you are at higher risk of cardiovascular disease due to high blood pressure, diabetes, your ethnic background or family history, you may need your cholesterol checked more regularly.
If the level of sugar in your blood is too high, it can cause damage to your blood vessels and organs, such as eyes, kidneys, heart and skin.
Blood sugar levels to be aware of:
Normal blood sugar:
Blood sugar greater than this may indicate diabetes and requires more testing.
One common measure of whether a person is overweight or obese is the body mass index, or BMI. BMI is calculated by dividing your weight in kilograms by the square of your height in metres:
A BMI of:
The size of your waist can indicate if you are at risk of heart disease or diabetes. A rounder waist has an increased risk:
BMI and waist circumference are just two measures of weight and should be considered alongside other measures of your health, such as cholesterol, blood pressure and blood glucose. For instance, a woman with a BMI of 27 might be just overweight, but healthy according to measures of blood pressure, cholesterol and blood glucose.
