INFORMATION & RESOURCES

TRACK YOUR BLOOD PRESSURE

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Blood pressure measures the force of blood against the walls off your arteries.

It is recorded as two numbers:

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• The SYSTOLIC pressure is when the HEART BEATS and is the first number (top); and

• DIASTOLIC pressure is when the heart RELAXES BETWEEN BEATS

and is the second number (bottom)

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Normal:  120/80 mm/Hg or lower

Moderate:  between 120/80 and 139/89 mmHg

High:  140/90 mmHg and above

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Change your lifestyle to lower your numbers.  Here's how:

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• Maintain a healthy weight

• Exercise for at least 30 minutes a day on most days of the week

• Limit alcoholic beverages to one daily drink for women, two for men

• Eat foods rich in calcium, potassium, magnesium and folate,

like fruits, vegetables, low-fat milk and whole grains

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TIP:  To help lower your blood pressure, avoid any prepackaged

food that has 400 mg or more of sodium per serving.

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Source:  http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/health-topics/topics/hbp

KEEP YOUR CHOLESTEROL IN CHECK

Cholesterol is transported through your bloodstream by carriers

called LIPOPROTEINS and there are two types:

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• LDL (Low-density lipoprotein)

• HDL (High-density lipoprotein)

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Your doctor will especially pay attention to your HDL or "GOOD" cholesterol and triglyceride levels.

With HDL cholesterol, higher numbers are better.

Levels of 60 mg/dl and higher will lower the risk for heart disease.

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Test your cholesterol at least every 5 years.

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TIP:  It is important to speak with your doctor about high cholesterol

because it does not have any symptoms.

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Source:  http://www.medicare.gov/coverage/cardiovascular-disease-screenings.html

DIABETES CHECK-UPS

If you have diabetes, there are several tests you should get regularly:

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• HEMOGLOBIN A1C should be tested 2 to 4 times a year

• DILATED EYE EXAM should be done at least once a year

• FOOT EXAM should be done at least once a year

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TIP:  When you have diabetes, your FEET need extra care and attention.

Preventing injury to your feet is merely a matter of wearing properly fitted shoes and socks at ALL times.

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Source:  http://professional.diabetes.org/PatientEducationLibrary.aspx