| Sometimes we are aware that something isn’t right with our bodies, and other times health problems creep up on us unexpectedly. Our vital signs give healthcare professionals an indication of our general health.
Nurses and physicians are generally concerned with four measurements including blood pressure, body mass index, blood sugar, and cholesterol.
Cholesterol is a fatty substance that travels through the blood. There are two types of cholesterol. LDL is often called the bad cholesterol and HDL is referred to as the good cholesterol. An excess of bad cholesterol built up in the arteries and can block the flow of blood to the heart.
A blood pressure measurement measures the force of your blood as it pushes against the walls of the air areas. High blood pressure can lead to a heart attack or stroke.
We get our energy from blood sugar. When blood sugar is too high for a long period it damages nerves and blood vessels. High blood sugar can lead to heart disease, stroke, diabetes, or kidney disease. |
