know your abcs: understanding a1c, blood pressure and … horizon wellness... · 2021. 2. 16. ·...
TRANSCRIPT
Know Your ABCs:
Understanding A1C, Blood Pressure and Cholesterol
This information has been created and supplied to you courtesy of Horizon Blue Cross
Blue Shield of New Jersey. The information is general in nature and is intended to provide
you with an overview of the wellness topic to help you and your family get and stay healthy.
It is not intended as a substitute for the professional advice and care of your doctor.
Always speak with your doctor before starting an exercise program or diet.
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There may be therapies and programs described here that are not covered benefits.
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Your Lab Results
• Understanding basic lab tests can help
you track your results and ask your
doctor important questions.
• It is your right to receive a copy of your
lab results.
Diabetes 101
What is it? Diabetes is a chronic disease in which the body does not make or
properly use insulin.
What causes it? Genetics, race and/or lifestyle factors.
How many people
have it?
• 30.3 million children and adults – about 9.4% percent of the
U.S. population.
• 7.2 million people are not yet diagnosed.
Source: National Diabetes Statistics Report, CDC, 2017
Normal Glucose Processing
Glucose
travels
into the
blood
Cell
Cell
Cell
Source: American Diabetes Association
Fat cells
Muscle cells
Liver
= Insulin
Once all cells are fed from
glucose, extra glucose is stored
in:
Types of Diabetes
Type 1 Type 2
• Body has no insulin; glucose
builds up in the bloodstream.
• Body does not use insulin properly
(insulin resistance).
• Usually diagnosed in children and
young adults
• People may have disease for years
before being diagnosed.
• Occurs at any age
• 5% to 10% of people with diabetes • 90% to 95% of people with diabetes
Source: American Diabetes Association
Type 1 vs. Type 2
Cell
Cell
Cell
Source: American Diabetes Association
Cell
Cell
Cell
= Insulin
Type 1 Type 2
Long-term Complications
Source: American Diabetes Association
Body Part Complication
Kidney Kidney damage
Foot Sores that won’t heal
Nerves Decrease in sensation; neuropathy
Heart Increased risk of heart disease
Eye Bleeding blood vessels in the back of the eye
What Is “Prediabetes”?
Source: National Diabetes Statistics Report, CDC, 2017
• Blood glucose levels are higher than normal but not high enough for a diagnosis of Type 2 diabetes.
• 84.1 million Americans (more than one in three) have prediabetes in addition to the 30.3 million Americans diagnosed with diabetes.
How Symptoms Differ
Source: American Diabetes Association
Type 1 Type 2
Frequent urination Any symptoms of Type 1
Unusual thirst Frequent infections
Extreme hunger Blurred vision
Unusual weight loss Cuts/bruises that are slow to heal
Extreme fatigue Tingling/numbness in hands/feet
Irritability Recurring skin, gum, bladder infections
Fasting1 Plasma Glucose (FPG)
Source: American Diabetes Association
American Diabetes Association’s criteria
for diagnosis of diabetes and pre-diabetes:
• Prediabetes: Fasting Plasma Glucose (FPG)
100-125mg/dl
• Diabetes: FPG greater or equal to 126mg/dl
1 Fasting is defined as no caloric intake for at least 8 hours. Results should be confirmed
by repeat testing.
A1C Test
G
G
G
G G G
G G
G G G
Source: American Diabetes Association
A1C = 5.2
(Estimated average blood
glucose 103 mg/dl)
A1C = 9.0
(Estimated average
blood glucose 212 mg/dl)
• A1C: A blood test that measures the
average blood glucose over the
preceding two to three months
• A “batting average” of blood sugars
Other Ways to Diagnose Diabetes
Source: American Diabetes Association
1. Oral glucose tolerance test result
of 200mg/dl or higher (diabetes);140-
199mg/dl (prediabetes).
2. Classic symptoms of high blood sugar in
addition to having a blood sugar result of
200mg/dl or higher when having a random
blood test (diabetes).
Blood Pressure
Source: American Heart Association
Blood pressure is the force of blood pushing
against blood vessel walls.
The heart pumps blood into the arteries (blood
vessels), which carry the blood
throughout the body.
Systolic and Diastolic
Source: American Heart Association
Systolic: The top number in a blood pressure reading.
The higher of the two numbers, it measures the pressure
in the arteries when the heart beats or contracts.
Diastolic: The bottom number, which is also the lower
of the two numbers, measures the pressure in the arteries
between heartbeats, when the heart muscle is resting
between beats and refilling with blood.
High Blood Pressure
Source: American Heart Association
Did you know?
One in three adults over age 20 in the United States have high blood pressure.
About 20 percent are undiagnosed and may not know there’s a problem.
• About 80 million U.S. adults have been diagnosed
with high blood pressure.
• High blood pressure, or hypertension, is dangerous
because it makes the heart work harder to pump
blood to the body, and it contributes to hardening of
the arteries (atherosclerosis) and the development
of heart failure.
• Known as the “silent killer” because high blood
pressure often has no symptoms.
Blood Pressure Complications
Source: American Heart Association
• Heart attack
• Heart failure
• Stroke
• Kidney failure
• Vision loss
• Erectile dysfunction
• Angina
• Memory loss
Blood Pressure Categories
Source: American Heart Association
Home Blood Pressure Monitoring
Source: American Heart Association
• The American Heart Association
recommends home blood pressure
monitoring for anyone with high blood
pressure.
• Home monitoring helps your doctor
determine whether treatments are
working.
• A record of readings taken over time
can provide you and your doctor
with a clearer picture of your blood
pressure.
• Home monitoring is not a substitute for
regular visits to your doctor.
What Is Cholesterol?
Source: American Heart Association
• Cholesterol is a waxy, fat-like
substance made in the liver and
found in certain foods, such as food
from animals, like dairy products,
eggs and meat.
• Cholesterol is a form of fat that’s not
all bad – a certain amount is essential
for life.
• Cholesterol helps provide stability
to the outer membranes of our
bodies’ cells.
Complications from High Cholesterol
Source: American Heart Association
• When too much LDL (bad) cholesterol circulates in the
blood, it can slowly build up in the inner walls of the
arteries that feed the heart and brain.
• Together with other substances, it can form plaque, a thick, hard deposit that can narrow the arteries and make them less flexible. This condition is known as atherosclerosis.
• If a clot forms and blocks a narrowed artery, a heart attack or stroke can occur.
Why Know Your Cholesterol?
Even though high cholesterol may
lead to heart disease, most of the time
there are no symptoms.
This is why it is important to have your
cholesterol levels checked by your
doctor.
Source: American Heart Association
Testing for Cholesterol: Lipid Profile
Source: American Heart Association
• Total cholesterol
• HDL: “Healthy”
(or “good”) cholesterol
• LDL: “Lousy” (or “bad”)
cholesterol
• Triglycerides: Another form
of fat in the blood
Your Personal Plan
Source: American Heart Association
• Your doctor should discuss your lipid profile
blood test results with you and also consider
your age, your blood pressure, your lifestyle,
and other factors to determine your 10-year risk
for serious heart problems.
• Discuss your levels, treatment options and
strategies with your doctor to get the plan that
works best for you.
Metabolic Syndrome
Source: American Heart Association
Metabolic syndrome includes the following
conditions:
• Increase in blood pressure
• Elevated blood sugar levels
• Excess body fat around the abdomen
• Abnormal cholesterol levels
When these conditions occur together,
they increase the risk of heart disease,
hardening of the arteries, stroke and
diabetes.
Five Key Measurements
Source: American Heart Association
Waist size For men: 40 inches or larger
For women: 35 inches or larger
Elevated triglycerides Fasting blood triglycerides ≥ 150mg/dl
Low HDL (good cholesterol) For men: Less than 40mg/dl
For women: Less than 50mg/dl
High blood pressure Having a blood pressure ≥130/85 mmHg
High fasting blood sugar level Fasting plasma glucose ≥ 100 mg/dl
To diagnose metabolic syndrome, most doctors look at at least three of the following:
Preventing Metabolic Syndrome
Source: American Heart Association
Eat a heart healthy diet
made up of:
• Whole grains
• Lean meats and fish
• Low-fat dairy products
• Monounsaturated fats
• Fruits and vegetables
To get and stay healthy:
• Watch portion sizes.
• Exercise regularly.
• Don’t smoke.
• Take medications as
prescribed.
• Get an annual physical.
Know Your Numbers
Source: American Heart Association
• Discuss lab results with your doctor.
• Track your results to know how you are
doing.
• Become educated on ways you can improve
your results.
• A healthy diet and exercise can help lower
A1C levels and blood pressure, and improve
lipid profile results.
• Take medication as prescribed per your
doctor.
Chronic Care Program/Case Management
Chronic Care Program: If you have been diagnosed with a chronic condition like diabetes or
heart disease, you may be eligible to participate in our Chronic Care Program, which can
help you better manage your health and improve your quality of life. Our registered nurses
reinforce your doctor’s treatment plan through educational mailings and support by phone.
To learn more, visit HorizonBlue.com/chronic-care.
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complex medical conditions. To learn more, visit HorizonBlue.com/case-management.
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Eastern Time.
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About This Presentation
Sources: American Diabetes Association, American Heart Association
Thank you
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