Gibson Area Hospital & Health Services | Gibson gets it! | Spring/Summer 2020

Gibson gets it! 9 Knowing key numbers—and working to keep them in a healthy range—can add up to better health. Here’s a look at target numbers for most adults. Talk with your doctor about what’s right for you. BLOOD SUGAR Target: A fasting blood sugar of less than 100 mg/dl . BODY MASS INDEX (BMI) Target: 18.5 to 24.9 . BLOOD PRESSURE Target: Systolic less than 120 mm Hg and diastolic less than 80 mm Hg . Why it matters: High blood pressure raises the risk of heart attack, stroke and kidney disease. What it is: The force of blood pushing against your blood vessel walls. Why it matters: The higher your BMI, the greater your risk of heart disease, type 2 diabetes, breathing problems and certain cancers. What it is: A measure of body fat based on your height and weight. Why it matters: Diabetes occurs—or is poorly managed— when blood sugar levels are too high. What it is: The amount of glucose in your blood. CHOLESTEROL Target: Talk with your doctor about what’s optimal for you. It depends on your overall risk factors. Why it matters: Unhealthy cholesterol levels raise your risk of heart attack and stroke. What it is: A waxy substance produced in the liver and released into the blood. Sources: American Diabetes Association; American Heart Association; National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute; U.S. Preventive Services Task Force B ET T E R HE A LTH Residency: University of Illinois, Urbana, IL Fellowship: Michael Reese Hospital & Medical Center, Chicago, IL University of Chicago, Chicago, IL Cardiac electrophysiology Education: MD, Thanjavur Medical College, Thanjavur, India Specialties: Procedures performed include cardiac rehabilitation, cardiac stress tests, cardioversions, pacemaker and defibrillator procedures, transesophageal echocardiograms, and loop recorder implants. Board certifications: Cardiovascular disease Clinical cardiac electrophysiology Internal medicine Nuclear cardiology Gibson Area Hospital Cardiology #10 Doctors Park Gibson City, IL 60936 Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. 217-784-2273 Subbiah Rajaguru, MD