December 15, 2005
by Angela Hochreiter MPH, RD -- Healthy Hearts Program
How do you know if you have high blood pressure, high blood cholesterol, or diabetes? There are three simple tests to take that can give you important information:
1. Blood pressure test
2. Blood cholesterol test
3. Blood sugar (diabetes) test
There are things you can do to prevent or control all of these risk factors. Knowing your blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar levels can help you decide how to make some healthy lifestyle choices and reduce your chances of getting heart disease.
Blood pressure
You have probably had a blood pressure test. Usually, this is done by a nurse or doctor putting a “blood pressure cuff” around your upper arm and filling it with air. As the air is released, your blood pressure is measured. Every time you go to the clinic you should get your blood pressure tested.
High blood pressure means that your blood is putting a lot of pressure on the sides of your blood vessels. This can cause health problems, especially if it has been high for a long time.
Blood cholesterol
The test for blood cholesterol involves taking a small blood sample, usually from a vein on the inside of your arm. The blood is then sent to a laboratory where it is analyzed. The cholesterol test is more accurate if you do not eat for 9 to 12 hours before the blood is taken from your body. All adults (anyone 20 years old or older) should have their blood cholesterol checked at least every 5 years. Check it more often if you have high blood cholesterol levels. These can be done at the hospital also. Sometimes quick tests for cholesterol are done, these aren’t as accurate because you don’t need to be fasting, but they are good as an estimate.
High blood cholesterol means there is too much cholesterol, which has a waxy consistency, in the blood. This can gather on the sides of the vessels and make the opening smaller for blood to pass through. This small opening raises blood pressure and if the opening continues to shrink, the vessel becomes completely or partially blocked resulting in a heart attack or stroke (“brain attack”).
Diabetes test
The test for diabetes also involves taking a small blood sample, usually before eating in the morning. There are other ways to test for diabetes, but this approach is so simple that it can be done at health fairs and at home. For these, a drop of blood taken from your fingertip is placed on a special strip of paper. The strip is then put into a little machine that tells how much sugar is in your blood. You should have a diabetes test at least every year. If you have diabetes, you will need to monitor your blood sugar every day.
High blood sugar means that the sugar from the food we eat is not moving from the blood to the rest of the body for energy like it normally would. Some symptoms of high blood sugar are fatigue, feeling thirsty, blurred vision, and frequent urination.
Simple tests to take
All of the tests are easy and not very painful. Knowing your numbers and making even small changes can improve your health. When you have better health, it is easier to take care of not only yourself but also your family who need you. If your numbers are high for any of the tests, there are people to help you understand ways to lower them by making healthy life choices and/or taking medication.
In future columns, we will be discussing what the blood pressure and blood cholesterol test results mean. We will also be telling you how to lower your blood pressure and your blood cholesterol.
Remember, your health is your responsibility. These tests can be done at a health fair or at the hospital by scheduling an appointment at YKHC. Also, you can call us at 543-6999 or 1-800-478-4471 ex. 6999 if you want more information about heart disease. To schedule an appointment at YKHC call 543-6442 or 1-800-478 -3321.
Next month: Measuring Your Blood Pressure.
Next Bethel Health Fair -- March 4, 2006!