It is believed that culture is a way of life and the way we do the things we do daily can either make or mar our health.
One of the culture that every individual must cultivate in other to enjoy a healthy life, age gracefully and avoid premature death is the culture of knowing and keeping up with our health numbers. Once you know your numbers, you can take steps to lessen your heart risks through some common-sense lifestyle changes.
When it comes to your health, there are some numbers you should know by heart.
Even if you have a genetic propensity for heart disease inherited from a parent, lifestyle changes to get your numbers under control can make you less likely to develop heart problems. Adopting lifestyle measures may also lower your chances of getting diabetes and reduce the excess weight that can lead to joint pain, allowing you to lead a more mobile, independent life.
Taking control of your health involves knowing these numbers.
Here are a few numbers you should know;
BLOOD SUGAR;
High blood sugar indicates that your body either does not produce enough insulin or is not able to properly use insulin produced. Having high blood sugar over time can cause damage to blood vessels, nerves and other vital organs such as the kidneys and eyes. Knowing that your blood sugar is high will let you take steps to lower it, and possibly delay or prevent type 2 diabetes. A healthy fasting sugar level should be less than 100mg/Dl.
BLOOD PRESSURE;
It is important to keep track of your blood pressure figures because having a high blood pressure forces your body to work harder and increases your risks of developing heart diseases, having a stroke, as well as kidney and heart failure. It is possible to have a high blood pressure and not know it, so routinely measuring it and keeping track is very important. You can measure it at home by yourself using a sphygmomanometer. A healthy blood pressure should be less than 120/80 mm Hg.
BODY MASS INDEX:
BMI is a measure of weight compared to height. It indicates how much body fat a person has. Being overweight or obese can put one at risk of heart disease, type 2 diabetes, sleep apnea and other health conditions. Your doctor can measure your weight and height and calculate your BMI during your regular health check. You can also weigh yourself and keep track of your BMI at home using an online calculator. A healthy BMI should be between 18.5kg/m2 and 24.9kg/m2. The higher your BMI, the greater your risks of heart disease, stroke, hypertension and diabetes. You can calculate your BMI for free HERE
WAIST CIRCUMFERENCE: Carrying too much weight around your waist increases your risk of having heart disease and type 2 diabetes. You can measure your waist circumference at home. Wrap the tape measure around your middle, about at the level of your belly button. It’s also helpful to calculate your waist-to-hip ratio—the size of your belly compared to your hips. To get this ratio, divide your waist circumference by your hip circumference. A greater than 1.0 waist-to-hip ratio is indicative of a higher than normal risk of developing heart disease. A 35 inches or less is a healthy waist circumference.
Having numbers that are too high or too low may be a warning sign that serious illnesses are imminent and you need to make lifestyle changes.
Just like your phone and bank account numbers, your health numbers are very important, always have your health numbers at your finger tips.
BOOK A FREE CONSULTATION NOW TO GET HELP WITH YOUR HEALTH NUMBERS.
Click the link HERE now.
Xoxo
Coach Hafsah