The American Heart Association has published their new recommendations for healthy adults to help reduce the risk of heart disease. Are you meeting these goals?
Blood pressure: less than 120 systolic (the upper number), and less than 80 diastolic (the lower number).
Low densitly lipoprotein(LDL), known as bad cholesterol (think L for lousy) : less than 100 mg/dL.
High density lipoprotein (HDL), known as good cholesterol (think H for healthy) : more than 40mg/dL in men, and more than 50 mg/dL in women.
Triglycerides: less than 150 mg/dl.
Glucose (sugar) level during a fasting state in the blood: less than 100 mg/dL.
Body mass index: 18.5 -24.9 kg/m2. Use the BMI Calculator.
If you don't know your numbers, ask your doctor about a screening test.
Reference: Circulation. 2006;114:82-96.
Photo: courtesy of Patient Education Center.
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