Issue link: http://viewer.e-digitaledition.com/i/439403
ACCORDING TO THE AMERICAN Heart Association's 2013 treatment guidelines, high blood pressure is diagnosed from readings of 140/90 or higher and high cholesterol is diagnosed from levels of 180 mg/dL or higher. The American Diabetes Association recommends a diagnosis of diabetes when average blood glucose rises above 6.5 percent. But what should you do if your readings are not quite high risk, but just under? You may fall into the borderline area. THE RISK OF PRE-HIGH RISK The borderline represents a grey area just below the defined high-risk levels of high blood pressure, high cholesterol, high glucose, and a high body mass index (BMI). A fasting blood sugar level of between 100 and 125 mg/dL, for example, is considered pre-diabetic. While obesity is characterized by a BMI of 30 or more, a BMI of between 25 and 29 is considered overweight. Staying in the borderline area can increase likelihood of chronic illness, as well as cause irreversible damage to the body. NUMBERS Looking Past the WHEN IT COMES TO THE RISK OF CHRONIC DISEASE, CONCENTRATING SOLELY ON BLOOD PRESSURE AND CHOLESTEROL FIGURES MAY PROVE COUNTERPRODUCTIVE FOR YOUR LONG-TERM HEALTH. THE CHRONIC FACTS According to the National Institutes of Health, chronic diseases, such as cardiovascular disease, cancer, asthma, and diabetes, are responsible for more than half of the deaths worldwide each year. In the United States alone, 133 million adults live with a chronic disease. My role is to act as a coach and encourage patients to start the process of eating better and moving more, and to assist them when they lose their way. —Jill Hasenberg, DO, Family Medicine Physician at HSHS Medical Group – Family Health Associates " " 4 I N S P I R I N G H E A LT H