The George Washington University Hospital Health News
Fall 2006

Contents

Home
Is It Time to See
a Cardiologist?
A New Heart Valve
in the Nick of Time
What You Need
to Know About
Potentially Lifesaving Diagnostic Tests
Numbers That Add Up
to a Healthy Heart
Atrial Fibrillation
Center at GW Hospital Helps Your Heart
Keep Its Beat
Government Worker Gets Lifesaving
Heart Help
Past Issues

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The George Washington University Hospital Health News

The George Washington University Hospital Health News


Numbers That Add Up to a Healthy Heart

You know your phone number, your ATM PIN number and your Social Security number. But do you know the numbers that are vital for your heart health? Use this chart to help you understand and track your heart health numbers.

Heart Health Factor What It Is What to Aim For Record Your Risk Factors to Discuss With Your Physician
Cholesterol A kind of fat that is essential for the body. It's important to know your total cholesterol level, as well as your LDL and HDL levels. Total cholesterol level of 200 mg/dL or less  
LDL ("bad") cholesterol can cause a buildup of hard deposits, or plaques, in the arteries. Your ideal LDL level will depend on your level of risk for heart disease.
  • People who are at low risk for heart disease: Less than 160 mg/dL
  • People at intermediate risk for heart disease: Less than 130 mg/dL
  • People at high risk for heart disease: Less than 100 mg/dL
  • People at very high risk for heart disease: Less than 70 mg/dL
 
HDL ("good") cholesterol helps the body get rid of bad cholesterol in the blood. The higher your HDL level, the better.
  • Women: 50 mg/dL or higher
  • Men: 40 mg/dL or higher
 
Triglycerides Triglycerides are a type of fat. Excess calories, alcohol or sugar are converted into triglycerides and stored in fat cells. 150 mg/dL or lower  
Blood pressure The force of the blood pressing against the blood vessel walls. 120/80 mm Hg or less  
Ejection fraction The percentage of blood pumped out of the heart during each beat. It is a measure of the heart's pumping ability. 55 to 60 percent of the heart's total blood volume  
Fasting glucose level A fasting blood glucose level over 126 mg/dL indicates diabetes, which puts you at higher risk for heart disease. 100 mg/dL or less  
Sleep apnea This condition causes your breathing to stop temporarily or become shallow when you sleep. It's associated with an increased risk of high blood pressure, heart attack and stroke. If you've been told that you snore or stop breathing when you sleep, or you often wake up tired, see your doctor for sleep evaluation and possible treatments.  
Waist circumference People who carry weight around their waists (giving them an "apple" shape) may have a greater heart disease risk than people of the same weight who carry weight around their hips and buttocks (giving them a "pear" shape). Women: 35 inches or less
Men: 40 inches or less
 

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The George Washington University Hospital Health News