Summertime is Health Maintenance Season
Summer is the perfect season for home improvements and Do It Yourself projects. The weather is warm, the sun is bright and your weekends are full of opportunity. People across the country commonly shift their focus to performing some type of basic maintenance that keeps their homes running smoothly.
That same care you pour into your home should also be applied to your overall wellness. Summer is an excellent time to schedule an annual well-check visit with your primary care doctor, and the Family Medicine and Internal Medicine physicians at Harbin Clinic encourage everyone to build a strong foundation and keep their health top-notch.
“Men and women of all ages should see their primary care physician yearly,” says Dr. Roger Hiser of Harbin Clinic Primary Care Cartersville. “I believe that people will find they live healthier and happier lives by taking responsibility for their wellness and understanding more of how and why their body functions the way that it does.”
For patients, it is critically important to have a primary care doctor who knows your medical history and can serve as a dedicated partner for lifelong health. Your physician is committed to personally getting to know you, understanding your unique needs, and leading you on your journey to better health. Plus, he or she has the tools you need to keep you on track when it comes to immunizations, check-ups, and health screenings.
Annual wellness visits consist of a full physical exam that measures key health indicators. These routine evaluations can help detect existing health issues or prevent future problems, keeping Do It Yourself-ers hammering away on their renovation projects.
Cholesterol, blood pressure, blood sugar levels, and body mass are important health indicators to have handy in your toolbox. But what do these numbers mean and how can you help keep them in check? Follow the blueprint below to understand your numbers and fuel your health.
CHOLESTEROL
This measures the total amount of HDL, LDL, and triglycerides in the blood. Having a total number of 199 or below is considered normal.
· LDL: This stands for low-density lipoprotein, commonly known as bad cholesterol, and is made up of fat and protein and carries cholesterol and fats in the blood. Having a reading of less than 100 mg/dL is optimal although less than 130 is considered in the healthy range.
· HDL: This stands for high-density lipoprotein, commonly known as good cholesterol, and having high levels of this can reduce the risk for heart attacks and strokes. Having a reading of 40 mg/dL or above is considered good.
BLOOD SUGAR
Blood sugar, or glucose, is the main sugar found in your blood. It comes from the food you eat and is your body’s main source of energy. A blood test lets your doctors check your numbers. A fasting blood sugar level below 100 mg/dL is considered normal.
BMI
The body mass index is a person’s weight in kilograms divided by the square of their height in meters. It can help doctors determine a healthy weight range for individuals.
BLOOD PRESSURE
The combination of systolic and diastolic numbers represents your blood pressure. High blood pressure can lead to several health complications.
· SYSTOLIC: This indicates how much pressure blood is exerting against artery walls when the heart beats. A reading of less than 120 is considered normal.
· DIASTOLIC: This indicates how much pressure blood is exerting against artery walls when the heart is resting between beats. A reading of less than 80 is considered healthy.
To schedule your annual well-check and keep your health maintained, visit one of our primary care specialty pages:
Harbin Clinic Internal Medicine
Harbin Clinic Primary Care Cartersville
