Health Services Inc. Dallas Texas

Medical Information for Insurance Agents

- Perfect Blood Pressure Tips
- Cholesterol Readings
- Laboratory Test Guide
- Why Test for Nicotine?

Tips For Perfect Blood Pressure

Blood Pressure (BP) is the force of the blood against artery walls. It is measured in millimeters of mercury and recorded as 2 #s: Systolic (top #) is pressure as the heart beats, and diastolic (bottom #) is pressure between heart beats. High BP affects about 50 million – or 1 in 4 adult Americans.

Tips:

- Steer Clear of Caffeine for at least 30 minutes before taking your blood pressure. Sources to watch for are coffee, non-herbal tea, soda, chocolate, and some pain relievers (check label to be certain).

- Refrain from Smoking for at least 30 minutes before your measurement. Smoking increases your blood pressure and your overall risk for heart disease. Our best advice: Get help and quit.

- Always Use the Same Arm. To keep your readings consistent, use the same arm, preferably your non-dominant arm – every time you measure. If you’re a “rightie,” measuring your left arm leaves your right one free to handle your monitor properly.

- Check the Cuff Fit. Refer to the monitor’s instructions to make sure the cuff is the right size for your arm.

- Check the Cuff Placement. On a bare upper arm, the bottom of the cuff should be positioned about 1 inch above the elbow. Some units have markings on their cuffs to make alignment even easier.

- Use the “Two-Finger” Test. If you can’t slide two fingers side by side under the inflated cuff while its on your arm, the cuff is too tight.

- Sit Next to a Desk or Table so that the arm you’re measuring is level with your heart. Keep your back supported.

- Relax for at least 5 minutes before taking your pressure. Don’t talk during the reading.

- Follow the Measurement Plan. Blood pressure readings vary a lot, so take multiple readings at one sitting and average them.

- Write Down All Your Readings. Sometimes people don’t record a high reading because they think it’s a “fluke”. But it’s important to share every measurement with your doctor. Don’t worry that one high reading may affect your diagnosis. All the readings should be taken into account.

Blood pressure Readings
Blood pressure above 140/90 is too high.
Optimal BP: <120/ 80 Normal BP: 130/85 High BP ≥140/90

High BP by Four (4) Stages:
Stage 1: 140/90
Stage 2: 160/100
Stage 3: 180/110
Stage 4: 210/120

BP Factors You Cannot Control
*AGE – BP naturally rises with age
*RACE – African-Americans are more likely to have high BP
*HEREDITY – Those families who have a history of high blood pressure or of heavy build are more likely to have high BP.
*GENDER – Generally, men are more likely to develop high blood pressure.

What You Can Do

- Lose weight if you are overweight. Even a 10% weight loss will help!
- Lower your salt intake. Sodium causes your body to hold fluid, which causes the pressure inside the arteries to be higher.
- Develop an exercise program: 3 times weekly x 30 minutes.
- Avoid alcohol. Heavy use or drinking more than 1 ounce daily may raise BP.
- Learn to relax. Prolonged stress has been linked to high BP.
- Oral contraception women’s hormones can affect BP and cholesterol.
- Stop or cut down on smoking. Smoking causes arteries to contract, increasing BP

Cholesterol Readings

For BEST RESULTS, FAST a minimum of 4 hours before your exam–

* CHOLESTEROL (Chol): <200 mg/dl (Low Risk) ≥240 mg/dl (High Risk)

* HDL – GOOD CHOLESTEROL
– High Density Lipoprotein (HDL)
<35 major risk of heart attack
35-59 is good
>60 excellent; protects against heart disease

* LDL – BAD CHOLESTEROL
<130 is desirable
130-159 is borderline risk
≥160 is high risk

* FORMULA FOR DETERMINING CHOLESTEROL TO HDL RATIO
Chol/HDL Ratio should be 4.45 or less Total Chol (210) divided by HDL (39) = Ratio EXAMPLE: 210 (CHOL) / 39 (HDL) = 5.38 RATIO

* FORMULA FOR DETERMINING LDL Chol (210) – HDL (39) – [(Blood Fats called Triglycerides 105/5)] = LDL
210-39-(105/5)
210-39-21=150