When it comes to your overall health, how you feel is just the beginning of determining how healthy you really are. There are several unseen and unfelt factors that have a huge impact on your overall health and knowing where your body stands is important in controlling your health. In order to be truly healthy, know your own numbers, where they should be and what you need to do to get any health issues under control.
Blood Pressure - Knowing what your average blood pressure reading is can be very important to your overall health. A normal blood pressure reading should be around 120/80. Anything higher than this needs to be reduced. Reducing blood pressure can be done through medication, diet and exercise, according to your doctor’s recommendation.
Blood Glucose Level - The amount of glucose in your blood can be an indicator of diabetes. If you have a family history of Type 1 diabetes or risk factors for Type 2 diabetes, such as being overweight, be sure that your blood glucose concentration is tested regularly and that the number stays below 126. If your numbers are higher, you may need to change your diet or take an insulin medication.
Cholesterol Counts - Keeping your cholesterol numbers in check is vital for preventing and treating heart disease and vascular issues. There are actually four separate numbers that need to be watched, in reference to your cholesterol and each is very important to your health.
Total Cholesterol - Your total cholesterol number should be under 200. This number is a total count of all of the types of cholesterol measured in the blood. In the past, this was the only indicator of a cholesterol issue, but now the other numbers outweigh this figure.
HDL Cholesterol - High density lipoprotein is known as “good” cholesterol. This type of cholesterol is thought to fight against the bad forms of cholesterol in the blood and reduce the risk of coronary artery disease. Levels for women should be at least 50, but higher is better for prevention of heart disease.
LDL Cholesterol - Low density lipoprotein is the “bad” form of cholesterol. This particular type causes blood platelets to stick together, narrowing the arteries with dangerous build-up. Doctors recommend that levels of LDL should be below 100.
Triglycerides - Many people are unaware of triglycerides and that knowing this number is also crucial to their health. Triglycerides are a type of fat found in the bloodstream that also needs to be controlled. It is recommended that these numbers are kept below 150, in order to maintain heart health.
All of these factors can be effectively controlled through diet and exercise, and sometimes medication, when numbers have gone beyond control.
Waist Circumference - The size of your waist determines much more than just what size jeans you wear. Research has found that women with a waist circumference of more than 35 inches or 88.9 centimetres is at a higher risk of health problems that are related to weight control. Problems associated with a large waist measurement include Type 2 diabetes, cholesterol and blood pressure issues and heart disease. Getting this number down to a normal range can be done through diet and exercise plans. A doctor or nutritionist can help you to develop an effective plan.
Body Mass Index - Controlling your body mass index, or BMI, is another important factor in controlling your weight. Your body mass is calculated by factoring your height and weight into an equation. This number indicates how healthy your body size is and is considered to be a better indicator of obesity than weight alone. An ideal BMI is between 18.5 and 25, while anything over 40 is considered morbidly obese. Using diet and exercise to keep your body mass index below 25 is the best way to battle obesity.
Respiration Rate - Rapid or slow breathing can be an indicator of a serious problem for women of any age. On average, a resting respiration rate is between 15-20 breaths per minute. Anything more or less than that for an extended period of time can be an indicator of a very serious problem.
Pulse Rate - Your pulse rate is an important number to know, as a significant rise or drop in pulse can mean an underlying problem. An average pulse rate is between 60 to 100 beats per minute. If your pulse rate varies from these numbers, you may want to consult with a doctor to see what is going on.
There are other numbers that may be of importance to you depending on your risk factors for other disease or other conditions that you may already have. Any time you have tests performed, be sure that you discuss the results with your doctor and understand what needs to be done to get any corresponding numbers into a healthy range. Knowing and understanding the numbers that play a factor in your everyday health is the best way to improve your overall condition.
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