By Dr. Michael Fischi<\/em><\/p>\n It\u2019s important for all of us to know our numbers. Which numbers, you ask? Certain numbers relate to our cardiovascular well-being, such as blood pressure, cholesterol levels, glucose and waistline. Here are a few.<\/p>\n Age: Is it just a number?<\/strong><\/p>\n I recently had the privilege of attending Ruth Colvin\u2019s centennial birthday celebration. Ruth is the founder of Literacy Volunteers of America, and recipient of too many honors to mention. Reaching that age in her fine condition is no accident.<\/p>\n Advancing age is a risk factor for just about any physical malady imaginable. Clearly, we can\u2019t turn back time, so we must be aware of the increased importance of preventative measures as we age.<\/p>\n Ruth is blessed with exceptional genetics, but does her part to exercise regularly \u2014 you may see her on the golf course in the summer \u2014 and integrate light weight training into her routine. She also credits special dispensation from above.<\/p>\n Blood pressure <\/strong><\/p>\n An ideal blood pressure is 120\/80. The top number represents the pressure generated during contraction of the heart. The bottom number represents the pressure when the heart is relaxing and filling.<\/p>\n Blood pressure numbers are due to a combination of age, genetics, weight, physical condition, blood vessel compliance, salt intake and hormonal influences. Chronically elevated blood pressure \u2014 hypertension \u2014 can contribute to cardiovascular diseases.<\/p>\n One of the most modifiable factors contributing to hypertension is salt intake. Most Americans consume about 3,400 milligrams of salt daily. The American Heart Association recommends 1,500 milligrams.<\/p>\n Also, weight plays an important role. Getting closer to your ideal body weight can potentially reduce blood pressure.<\/p>\n Our blood pressure naturally tends to rise as we age because blood vessels become harder. It\u2019s important to have hypertension treated with medication if it can\u2019t be accomplished through lifestyle modifications. Often both are necessary.<\/p>\n Cholesterol <\/strong><\/p>\n Our cholesterol measurement is made up of triglycerides, low-density lipids and high-density lipids.<\/p>\n Low-density lipids are produced naturally by the liver, and are important components to certain cells in the body. But when these levels get too high, they can accumulate in the arteries and form plaque that restricts blood flow or causes heart attacks or strokes. These levels are affected strongly by genetics, and also by weight, diet and diabetes.<\/p>\n High-density lipids are good cholesterol and act like a sponge to soak up bad cholesterol in arteries. They are also heavily influenced by genetics, but can be impacted through diet and exercise, as well as judicious alcohol consumption. The latter in excess contributes to a pro-inflammatory state.<\/p>\n Management of cholesterol levels can be complicated and often needs to be individualized. It\u2019s best discussed with your physician.<\/p>\n Fasting blood sugar less than 100 mg\/dL <\/strong><\/p>\n If you\u2019re at risk for diabetes, or notice symptoms such as frequent urination, sweet-smelling urine, fatigue or feeling thirsty very often, this number is worth knowing.<\/p>\n Most Americans consume far more sugar than necessary to meet daily energy needs. The average American consumes 22 teaspoons of sugar daily; the AHA only recommends six teaspoons a day. We can reduce elevated blood glucose levels by avoiding sugary sodas and drinks, and eating foods with no added sugar.<\/p>\n And least favorite for last: The Waistline <\/strong><\/p>\n Many people use BMI as the standard for the ideal weight to height ratio. This has been contested; it doesn\u2019t take into account muscle mass or skeletal structure. Many health care professionals believe the waistline is a more reliable marker of ideal weight.<\/p>\n Belly fat is the worst kind of fat. You\u2019ve heard the pear shape is preferable to the apple. This is because abdominal fat is indicative of visceral \u2014 internal organ \u2014 fat. A waistline greater than 34 inches on a woman is suggestive of obesity.<\/p>\n Knowing our numbers can help us to live longer, healthier lives! SWM <\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n Dr. Michael Fischi is the president of the American Heart Association\/American Stroke Association advisory board in Syracuse. He is also a cardiologist with St. Joseph\u2019s Health.<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Tips for a Healthy Heart By Dr. Michael Fischi It\u2019s important for all of us to know our numbers. Which numbers, you ask? Certain numbers relate to our cardiovascular well-being, such as blood pressure, cholesterol levels, glucose and waistline. Here are a few.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":391,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[126],"tags":[168],"class_list":["post-414","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-health","tag-february-2017"],"gutentor_comment":0,"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.syracusewomanmag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/syracuse-women-magazine-logo-jan-17-smallest.jpg?fit=445%2C200&ssl=1","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":2677,"url":"https:\/\/www.syracusewomanmag.com\/?p=2677","url_meta":{"origin":414,"position":0},"title":"INSPIRE: Debbie Monaco and Ruth Bates, Dining for Women","author":"Staff","date":"November 5, 2019","format":false,"excerpt":"By Jamie Jenson \u00a0 Debbie Monaco first heard about Dining for Women, a \u201cglobal giving circle that funds grassroots projects working in developing countries to fight gender inequality,\u201d in January 2011, after her sister-in-law attended one of their events in Skaneateles. Debbie helped to get the Syracuse chapter of Dining\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Causes"","block_context":{"text":"Causes","link":"https:\/\/www.syracusewomanmag.com\/?cat=104"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.syracusewomanmag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Inspire-Debbie-and-Ruth.jpg?fit=1200%2C706&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.syracusewomanmag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Inspire-Debbie-and-Ruth.jpg?fit=1200%2C706&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.syracusewomanmag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Inspire-Debbie-and-Ruth.jpg?fit=1200%2C706&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.syracusewomanmag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Inspire-Debbie-and-Ruth.jpg?fit=1200%2C706&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.syracusewomanmag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Inspire-Debbie-and-Ruth.jpg?fit=1200%2C706&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":298,"url":"https:\/\/www.syracusewomanmag.com\/?p=298","url_meta":{"origin":414,"position":1},"title":"Meg O’Connell","author":"Staff","date":"January 26, 2017","format":false,"excerpt":"Living with Heartfelt Intent By Lorna Oppedisano | Photography by Alice G. Patterson Every action taken by Allyn Foundation executive director Meg O\u2019Connell is intentional. In raising three daughters, now ages 20, 23 and 25, she made purposeful decisions to teach them healthy habits and lifestyles. In her decades working\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Featured"","block_context":{"text":"Featured","link":"https:\/\/www.syracusewomanmag.com\/?cat=99"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.syracusewomanmag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/Meg-OConnell-0014.jpg?fit=1200%2C801&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.syracusewomanmag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/Meg-OConnell-0014.jpg?fit=1200%2C801&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.syracusewomanmag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/Meg-OConnell-0014.jpg?fit=1200%2C801&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.syracusewomanmag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/Meg-OConnell-0014.jpg?fit=1200%2C801&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.syracusewomanmag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/Meg-OConnell-0014.jpg?fit=1200%2C801&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":3285,"url":"https:\/\/www.syracusewomanmag.com\/?p=3285","url_meta":{"origin":414,"position":2},"title":"Protect yourself: Scammers are everywhere. Here\u2019s what you need to know","author":"Alyssa Dearborn","date":"September 15, 2022","format":false,"excerpt":"By Tara Benson Imagine picking up the phone and the panicked voice of your grandchild is on the other end. They sound scared and confused because there is an emergency, and they are in trouble. The line is scratchy and noisy leading to unclear voices and you aren\u2019t quite sure\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Guest Commentary"","block_context":{"text":"Guest Commentary","link":"https:\/\/www.syracusewomanmag.com\/?cat=1245"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.syracusewomanmag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/3YXAkQQE-scaled.jpeg?fit=900%2C1200&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.syracusewomanmag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/3YXAkQQE-scaled.jpeg?fit=900%2C1200&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.syracusewomanmag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/3YXAkQQE-scaled.jpeg?fit=900%2C1200&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.syracusewomanmag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/3YXAkQQE-scaled.jpeg?fit=900%2C1200&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":2805,"url":"https:\/\/www.syracusewomanmag.com\/?p=2805","url_meta":{"origin":414,"position":3},"title":"Women\u2019s Reproductive Health: Have a Heart and Keep It Strong!","author":"Staff","date":"February 1, 2020","format":false,"excerpt":"By Heather Shannon, MS, CMN, WHNP, MPH \u00a0 February is heart health month and so much effort is focused on keeping our hearts strong and healthy.\u00a0 We know that diet and exercise are imperative in keeping women on the right track, but genetics can get in the way, despite doing\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Features"","block_context":{"text":"Features","link":"https:\/\/www.syracusewomanmag.com\/?cat=101"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.syracusewomanmag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/blood-pressure.jpg?fit=1200%2C621&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.syracusewomanmag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/blood-pressure.jpg?fit=1200%2C621&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.syracusewomanmag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/blood-pressure.jpg?fit=1200%2C621&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.syracusewomanmag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/blood-pressure.jpg?fit=1200%2C621&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.syracusewomanmag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/blood-pressure.jpg?fit=1200%2C621&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":2248,"url":"https:\/\/www.syracusewomanmag.com\/?p=2248","url_meta":{"origin":414,"position":4},"title":"Inspire: Speaking out about silent heart attacks","author":"Sarah Hall","date":"February 2, 2019","format":false,"excerpt":"You\u2019d never know Tasha Benjamin had a heart attack. In fact, Tasha herself didn\u2019t know it until her doctor told her. \u201c[My doctor said],\u00a0\u2018Yeah, I need to refer you [to a cardiologist],\u2019\u201d Tasha recalled. \u201cI'm like, \u2018Okay, why?\u2019 And she's like, \u2018Well, you've had a heart attack. Have you had\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Featured"","block_context":{"text":"Featured","link":"https:\/\/www.syracusewomanmag.com\/?cat=99"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.syracusewomanmag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/dsc-5288.jpg?fit=1200%2C809&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.syracusewomanmag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/dsc-5288.jpg?fit=1200%2C809&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.syracusewomanmag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/dsc-5288.jpg?fit=1200%2C809&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.syracusewomanmag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/dsc-5288.jpg?fit=1200%2C809&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.syracusewomanmag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/dsc-5288.jpg?fit=1200%2C809&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":1025,"url":"https:\/\/www.syracusewomanmag.com\/?p=1025","url_meta":{"origin":414,"position":5},"title":"At the Crossroads of Aging","author":"Staff","date":"August 31, 2017","format":false,"excerpt":"Part Two: Embracing Aging By Nicole Christina You can find Nicole\u2019s first piece on At the Crossroads of Aging in our August 2017 issue. There\u2019s an exciting new cultural trend you may have noticed \u2014 older women are speaking up and claiming their power. This is no surprise. The size\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Health"","block_context":{"text":"Health","link":"https:\/\/www.syracusewomanmag.com\/?cat=126"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.syracusewomanmag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/cropped-SWM-logo-use-this-one.jpg?fit=930%2C448&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.syracusewomanmag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/cropped-SWM-logo-use-this-one.jpg?fit=930%2C448&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.syracusewomanmag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/cropped-SWM-logo-use-this-one.jpg?fit=930%2C448&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.syracusewomanmag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/cropped-SWM-logo-use-this-one.jpg?fit=930%2C448&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]}],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.syracusewomanmag.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/414","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.syracusewomanmag.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.syracusewomanmag.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.syracusewomanmag.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.syracusewomanmag.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=414"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/www.syracusewomanmag.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/414\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":568,"href":"https:\/\/www.syracusewomanmag.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/414\/revisions\/568"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.syracusewomanmag.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/391"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.syracusewomanmag.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=414"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.syracusewomanmag.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=414"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.syracusewomanmag.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=414"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}