Doctors named the main health indicators. Check if you are at risk for “diseases of the century”?
Doctors have such a concept as a “deadly quartet.” We are talking about such vital health indicators as cholesterol levels, sugar levels, blood pressure and waist size. When these parameters go beyond certain limits, a person’s risk of developing “diseases of the century” and, as a consequence, premature death increases. How do you know if you are at risk?
We are accustomed to thinking that cholesterol is always bad. But in reality, not everything is so simple. There are total cholesterol, low-density lipoproteins, LDL (“bad” cholesterol) and high-density lipoproteins, HDL (“good” cholesterol).
At the same time, you need to know that the norm for total cholesterol and LDL differs depending on the presence of additional factors, such as age over 45, excess weight, and the presence of hypertension. If all three conditions are present, cholesterol levels should not exceed 4.5 mmol/L. If none of the three factors is present, then 5.5 mmol/l can be considered normal.
“Bad” cholesterol should be no more than 3.36 mmol/l for a healthy person, and if the patient is at risk for cardiovascular diseases, then the figure should not exceed 2.6 mmol/l. At the highest risk of heart attack and stroke, the level of “bad” cholesterol should generally be below 1.8 mmol/l.
As for “good” cholesterol, it is considered normal for women to be at least 1.2 mmol/l, and for men - above 1 mmol/l. It is great if this value is above 1.5 mmol/l as this helps protect blood vessels from atherosclerotic plaques. It is common practice in the world to check cholesterol levels annually starting at age 45.
If you ask Google about the normal blood glucose level, you suddenly get a lot of options, sometimes significantly different from each other. But you should always remember that the “iron” norm in endocrinology is considered to be a level of <6 mmol/l, provided that the analysis is taken on an empty stomach.
When the glucose level is 6.1 - 7 mmol/l, doctors are already talking about a condition called glycemia. This is not diabetes yet, but it is no longer a very favorable condition that requires consultation with an endocrinologist. If the fasting test showed 7.1 mmol/l or higher, then this is diabetes mellitus.
It is best when on an empty stomach the glucose level does not go beyond 3.3 - 5.5 mmol/l, and after eating - beyond 7.8 mmol/l. For a healthy, physically active person, this is considered the norm. Sometimes an additional test for glycated hemoglobin is taken - it shows the average daily blood glucose level over the last three months.
For glycated hemoglobin, 6% is normal, 6.4% is a borderline state before diabetes, and above 6.5% is full-blown type 2 diabetes. This is the most accurate test that can detect problems with blood sugar. If a person has three factors: obesity, hypertension and high cholesterol, then he needs to check his glycated hemoglobin at least once a year.
There are also some nuances in determining normal blood pressure for a person. Few people know that there is a difference between “pressure standards” and the so-called “target pressure”. Norms are important for doctors, since certain diagnoses are made based on their gradations. For us, target pressure norms are much more important. In simple terms, these are the indicators that a person should have at a given age.
For those under 65 years of age, the target systolic (upper) pressure is between 120 and 130 mm Hg, and the diastolic (lower) pressure is 70-80 mm Hg. For those who have crossed this age level, a target pressure of 130 - 140 mm Hg upper and 70 - 80 mm Hg lower is considered a good indicator.
This is the norm for healthy people, which we must strive for. If the pressure exceeds these figures, then this is a serious reason to consult a doctor and begin to take serious measures to normalize it. Just don’t stock up on pills right away - doctors say that in many cases it’s enough just to change your lifestyle for your blood pressure to normalize.
Excess weight is the most important cause of the “diseases of the century.” Cancer, stroke, and diabetes most often threaten those who have extra pounds. Body mass index (BMI) is the main way to determine whether a person is at risk or not. To determine the index, you need to square your height in meters, and then divide your body weight in kg by the resulting figure.
If it turns out to be 18.5 - 24.9, then this is an ideal for men and women, which indicates good physical shape. If the index is 24.9 to 29.9, then we can simply talk about excess weight that needs adjustment. A BMI of 30-35 is already stage 1 obesity, requiring immediate action.
With a BMI from 35 to 40, a diagnosis of stage 2 obesity is made, and here it is no longer possible to do without the help of a specialist. But the most dangerous thing is “morbid” obesity of the 3rd degree, which corresponds to a BMI above 40. People with this diagnosis are in the most alarming risk group and most often face fatal illnesses.
Experts also warn that for those involved in strength sports, a BMI of 25 - 28 may not mean overweight. In athletes, this indicator is associated not with excess adipose tissue, but with large muscle mass. To be more precise, doctors take into account waist size, which easily helps to distinguish an athlete from an overweight person.
With a waist circumference of more than 102 cm in men, we can safely talk about the presence of extra pounds and an increased risk of cardiovascular diseases. For women, a waist of more than 88 cm should cause concern. From the point of view of ideal hormonal balance, the norm is even stricter - up to 94 cm in men and up to 80 cm in women. By the way, as for the aesthetic side of the issue, ideas about the ideal waist differ in different countries.
Finally, it is worth saying that those who engage in strength sports and constantly work with heavy weights, oddly enough, are also at risk. The fact is that with intense training, not only skeletal muscles grow, but also heart muscles. Therefore, doctors strongly recommend that all fitness fans do an ultrasound at least once a year to assess the condition of the heart.