know your abcs: understanding a1c, blood pressure and … horizon wellness... · 2021. 2. 16. ·...

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.

If you have any questions or concerns about your health or the health of any of your family

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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.

Case Management: Registered nurses provide information and support for acute and

complex medical conditions. To learn more, visit HorizonBlue.com/case-management.

Eligible Horizon BCBSNJ members may enroll themselves or an eligible dependent in the

Case Management Program by calling 1-888-621-5894 and selecting option 2.

Representatives are available for assistance Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.,

Eastern Time.

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About This Presentation

Sources: American Diabetes Association, American Heart Association

Thank you

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