Here are some of the numbers we will measure at the IHOA, what they mean, and ways that you can change your lifestyle to better them. Whether your numbers are normal or abnormal, you should take them to your family doctor. He/she will look to see whether you need any changes in medication or other medical care, and then keep them on file to observe how they change over time. When you attend the IHOA event, you will meet with a HealthNEXT physician who will explain your results, and a behaviorist who will talk with you about how lifestyle changes can help to improve your numbers, along with medical care.
Low Density Lipoprotein (LDL)- This is the bad or “Lousy” cholesterol. It should be under 100. An abnormal LDL puts you at risk for heart disease or stroke. Some foods raise LDL (egg yolks, dairy, red meat, poultry skin, fried foods, trans fats) and others help to lower it (fish, fruits, whole grains, beans, nuts).
High Density Lipoprotein (HDL)- This is the good or “Healthy” cholesterol. Ideally, HDL should be above 50. If your HDL is low, it can be raised with regular cardiovascular exercise (brisk walk, bicycling, swimming, etc). Exercise can also convert some LDL to HDL, so your LDL might go down, too.
Triglycerides- These are fats in the blood from the food you eat. An ideal value is less than 150. Like LDL and HDL, abnormal triglycerides increase your risk for heart disease and stroke. When you consume excess calories, fats, alcohol and/or sugar, it is stored in fat cells as triglycerides. If your triglycerides are high, you may be drinking too much alcohol. Reducing alcohol consumption, if you drink, can have the greatest impact on triglyceride values. You may also be eating too much food and/or the wrong kinds of food (excess fat and sugar).
Total Cholesterol- This is a measure of your LDL, HDL and other lipids. A normal value is under 200. However, if your HDL is very high, you may have a total cholesterol above 200, even though your LDL is normal. Your physician or a physician from the HealthNEXT team can do a calculation to determine if your lipid values seem to be balanced by a very high HDL. The same behaviors that help to control each of your lipid values will have an impact on total cholesterol.
Blood Glucose- This number, often called “blood sugar” provides a snapshot of the sugar level in your blood at the time of the blood draw. You are asked to fast before the blood draw because blood sugar is affected by whatever you may have eaten recently. Blood sugar and HA1C (below) are the two numbers we look at when determining your diabetes risk or the effectiveness of your diabetes management. You can reduce this number by avoiding too much alcohol, sugary and starchy foods and drinks, especially highly processed ones. Regular cardiovascular exercise can also help to control blood sugar, as well as keeping meals small, frequent, and high in fiber (fruits, vegetables, whole grains, beans, nuts).
Hemoglobin A1C- Instead of a snapshot, this is more like a movie. It gives us an idea about your blood sugar levels over the past few months. It is another important consideration for diabetes risk or management and can be improved with the same behaviors as blood sugar (described above). Achieving and maintaining a healthy weight is also an important part of diabetes prevention or management. (See BMI below).
Liver Enzymes (ALT/AST)- Liver enzymes are a measure of risk for several types of liver disease. If your liver enzymes are abnormal, it could be an indication that you are consuming more alcohol than your body can handle. It could also be the result of certain medications. If you are taking a medication that can cause liver problems and these numbers are high, you should discuss it with your prescribing physician right away. If you think you might have a problem with alcohol, contact your EAP for assistance or contact someone from HealthNEXT and we can assist you with that process.
Blood Pressure – High blood pressure can put you at risk for heart disease, stroke, kidney failure and more. Systolic blood pressure (the top number) is the pressure when the heart is pumping blood. It should be below 120. Diastolic blood pressure (the bottom number) is the pressure when the heart is at rest between beats and should be less than 80. Your blood pressure is constantly changing. For example, it goes up when you become excited or nervous, move around a lot, or consume caffeine. We want to check your blood pressure when you are still and relaxed. Some people become nervous when getting their blood pressure tested, which raises the reading. This is called “white coat syndrome” (because medical professionals often wear white coats). If you suspect you have white coat syndrome, you can have your blood pressure checked a second time after you take a few deep breaths and relax. To lower blood pressure, try to avoid caffeine and salt, drink a lot of water, quit or reduce tobacco use, and find ways to manage stress. Although physical activity temporarily raises blood pressure, regular activity strengthens the heart and reduces your resting blood pressure.
Body Mass Index- BMI is the relationship between your height and your weight. It is used as an approximation of body fat percentage. It tells us whether your weight is appropriate for your height, or if your weight might be putting you at risk for conditions such as heart disease and diabetes. It does not apply to people who lift heavy weights and have a lot of muscle mass. If you believe that your body weight is mostly muscle, you can use a different test to find out if you have too much fat. Ask your doctor or visit your local gym for a test of your body fat percentage. (Body fat scales are not very accurate.) If you are obese, it is important to lose weight to reduce your health risk. If you are overweight and have more than one risk factor for an obesity-related disease (family history, high lipids, high glucose, high blood pressure, etc), losing weight is highly recommended. If you are underweight, speak with your family doctor or a member of the HealthNEXT team about addressing the associated risks (ie. bone density, adequate nutrition).
If you have questions about your blood test or the IHOA event at your location, contact your nurse, HR representative, or someone from the HealthNEXT team. We look forward to seeing you soon, and assisting you on the journey toward greater wellness!
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