#7 KNOW YOUR NUMBERS - The Healthy Rotarian

The Healthy Rotarian  – Series #7 Know Your Numbers?

The American Heart Association initiated the Know Your Numbers campaign to help you understand the importance of knowing and monitoring your most significant health indicators, such as

               Indicator                             Target Number*

•blood pressure < 130/80 mm Hg

•cholesterol                      Total: < 180 mg/dL; HDL (good): < 60 mg/dL   LDL (bad): <70 mg/dL

•blood glucose                 HbA1c: fasting < 6%

       Pre meal                      70-130 mg/dl

       Post meal peak          < 180 mg/dl

•body mass index             18.6-24.9

      Waistline/women       < 35”

       Waistline/men           < 40”

*Target numbers differ among authorities, check with your health care provider for their recommended targets for you.

Most of us struggle to reach and maintain these targets, but keep in mind the objective is to strive for wellness rather than wait till disease strikes and then engage in treatment.  It is never too early or too late to begin your effort to capture wellness…Never, never give up!  There are many tools to assist your personal tracking of numbers by going to http://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/ Have a question? Send it along and I will research it.  All information is document by scientific research if you wish those references just let me know.

Nurse Sipple