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Know Your Heart Health!
We all want to have healthy hearts, but it can be a little difficult to know if we are on the right track. The good news is that there are a few markers we can track to ensure that we stay motivated on the continuous journey toward ideal heart health.
Blood Pressure
The first number that you are going to want to keep a watchful eye on is your blood pressure. According to the CDC, blood pressure is the “pressure of blood pushing against the walls of your arteries.” Your arteries are extremely vital because they are responsible for carrying the blood from your heart to other parts of your body.
A normal blood pressure level is less than 120/80 mmHg. And anything higher than that will be considered high blood pressure or hypertension. High blood pressure may occur due to unhealthy lifestyle choices, like insufficient physical activity. It could also be a symptom of health conditions such as obesity and diabetes.
High blood pressure makes your arteries less elastic. In doing so, the arteries can no longer keep adequate blood and oxygen levels flowing to your heart, which results in heart disease, chest pain, heart attacks, and even heart failure.
Cholesterol
Another metric to track is your cholesterol levels. Cholesterol is a waxy substance that your body requires to build cells and make vitamins. And while it is helpful, an issue arises when there’s too much cholesterol.
Normal total cholesterol levels are below 200 mg/dL. Those with higher cholesterol may cause a build-up of cholesterol and other deposits on the walls of their arteries. That build-up can restrict blood flow through the arteries and cause chest pain, heart attack, and stroke.
High cholesterol can be inherited, but it is typically the result of an unhealthy lifestyle. Luckily, a healthy diet, regular exercise, and medications may reduce the condition and lead to a healthy heart.
Blood Sugar
Blood sugar, scientifically known as hyperglycemia, occurs when there’s too much sugar in your blood. This happens when your body doesn’t have enough insulin or if your body can’t use insulin properly. This condition is why high blood sugar usually means you have diabetes.
High blood pressure can damage the blood vessels and nerves that control your heart. Having heightened blood pressure can damage the artery walls, making them narrow and stiffen. It may also cause the blood to be stickier, and there might be a higher probability of blood clotting.
One of the most critical ways to regulate your blood sugar is avoiding foods that will cause a spike in those levels. Combining a good diet with regular activity will allow you to maintain healthy blood sugar.
Have Health Insurance Questions?
We hope that this information on tracking heart health is helpful for you.
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