{"id":300,"date":"2018-07-14T10:49:51","date_gmt":"2018-07-14T10:49:51","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/yza.ec2.mytemp.website\/blog\/?p=300"},"modified":"2025-03-10T15:17:35","modified_gmt":"2025-03-10T09:47:35","slug":"important-heart-health-numbers-to-keep-in-mind","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/starimagingindia.com\/blog\/important-heart-health-numbers-to-keep-in-mind\/","title":{"rendered":"5 Important Numbers That Indicate Your Heart\u2019s Health."},"content":{"rendered":"

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Did you know? Your heart beats 115,000 times a day and pumps 2000 gallons of blood every day. It\u2019s the body\u2019s hardest working muscle; but how can you check if it\u2019s in top working condition? Here are a few important heart health numbers to keep in mind.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Blood Pressure:<\/h4>\n<\/div>\n\n
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Ideal measurement- less than 120\/80 mmHg<\/h5>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/section>
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We all know that blood flows through our arteries \u2013 blood pressure is nothing but the pressure of the blood against the artery walls. So why is this important? High blood pressure (when the force of the blood is too much), alternatively known as hypertension, is a major, albeit common, health concern, which can increase the risk of strokes, heart failures, kidney or eye problems, etc. While checking your blood pressure, there are two numbers to keep in mind \u2013 one is the systolic (the higher or upper) number and the other is the diastolic (lower) measurement. The systolic pressure measures the pressure of blood against artery walls when the heart pumps blood, while the diastolic pressure measures the same force between heartbeats, when the heart fills with blood. Both of these numbers are equally important and you shouldn\u2019t breathe easy just because one of the numbers is ok.<\/span><\/p>\n

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How to measure:<\/h6>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/section>
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Consider getting an automatic blood pressure monitor which is very simple to use. Also, don\u2019t rely on a single measurement, take multiple readings and then average them to arrive at a fairer number. Take readings after you\u2019ve been sitting calmly for 5 minutes.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Interpreting the results:<\/h6>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/section>
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120\/80 or below: Normal<\/p>\n

Between 120 and 139 and \/80 and 89: Pre-hypertension<\/p>\n

Higher than 140\/90: Hypertension<\/p>\n

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Your Waist Size<\/h4>\n<\/div>\n\n
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Ideal for women: Less than 35 inches, ideal for men: less than 40 inches<\/h5>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/section>
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Concerned about the kilos you\u2019re putting on on your waist? You\u2019re right to be concerned, because a larger circumference is tied to increased risk for cardiovascular diseases, as well as a host of other problems. According to experts at the\u00a0Columbia Center for Heart Disease Prevention<\/a>, your waist size is a better indicator of heart health than your weight \u2013 because you may be working out and putting on muscles, while your waist remains slim.<\/p>\n

These experts also report seeing a significant improvement in other heart health numbers when patients lose even 1 inch from their waist, and conversely, see a worsening in these numbers if they gain even an inch.<\/p>\n

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How to measure:<\/h6>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/section>
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Simply get a measuring tape and measure around your belly button.<\/p>\n

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Interpreting the results:<\/h6>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/section>
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For women:<\/p>\n

Waist size less than 35 inches \u2013 Ideal<\/p>\n

Equal or more than 35 inches \u2013 At higher risk for heart diseases<\/p>\n

For men:<\/p>\n

Waist size less than 40 inches \u2013 Ideal<\/p>\n

Equal or more than 40 inches \u2013 At higher risk for heart diseases<\/p>\n

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Total Cholesterol<\/h4>\n<\/div>\n\n
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Ideal measurement: Lower than 200 mg\/dL<\/h5>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/section>
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Cholesterol \u2013 the very mention of it sets alarm bells ringing in our head and stops us from reaching for that second helping of chips. But not all cholesterol is bad \u2013 in fact, this soft, waxy substance is also a nutrient which is needed by the body. However, too much can lead to plaque buildup which narrows the blood vessels of the heart, leading to heart attacks or heart diseases, so it\u2019s essential to not go overboard.<\/p>\n

Your total cholesterol comprises of:<\/p>\n

HDL or \u2018good cholesterol\u2019<\/p>\n

LDL or \u2018bad cholesterol\u2019 \u2013 this is the culprit behind clogged arteries<\/p>\n

Triglycerides \u2013 a type of fat which also leads to plaque buildup<\/p>\n

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How to measure:<\/h6>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/section>
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A simple blood test can tell you your cholesterol levels.<\/p>\n

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Interpreting the results:<\/h6>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/section>
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