The Four Killer ‘Bs’ of Health
Do you know your health numbers? There are four numbers that can help paint a better picture of your health, and this is something you should be discussing with your primary care physician. We like to call them the “Four Killer Bs” — but don’t be scared! When kept in check with proper preventive steps, these Killer “Bs” can help save your life.
The Four Killer “Bs” are:
- Blood Sugar (or Blood Glucose)
- Blood Cholesterol
- Blood Pressure
- Body Mass Index
Blood sugar is the amount of sugar (glucose) in the blood. Those living with or at risk for diabetes already know the importance of monitoring sugar levels in the blood, but it can be useful for anyone to keep track of this information for health monitoring purposes. Blood pressure is the force the blood exerts against the walls of the arteries as the heart beats. Blood cholesterol is a measure of the waxy substance produced by the liver. LDL (low-density lipoprotein) is what’s known as “bad” cholesterol, and HDL (high-density lipoprotein) is what’s called “good” cholesterol. The ideal body mass index is determined by gender, age, height, and frame, and is a good indicator of whether or not you are at a healthy weight.
Here at Peak AWC, your Annual Wellness Visit will not only measure your Four Killer “Bs,” but it will go even further to paint a complete picture of your health and help you determine what steps you can take to attain and maintain your maximum quality of life. Call our office today to schedule your appointment, which is free to Medicare patients.
This column is sponsored by Peak Annual Wellness Center.
BIO: Jeffrey Epstein, MD is board-certified in geriatric and internal medicine. He is passionate about helping seniors stay healthy so they can maintain a high-quality lifestyle. Dr. Epstein has practiced general internal medicine and geriatric medicine for 20 years before transitioning to a role as Hospital Medical Director and Physician Advisor in 2011. Peak AWC was founded to provide Annual Wellness Visits to seniors and empower them to avoid vulnerabilities that could cause great harm. It is the goal of Dr. Epstein and Peak AWC to provide better care at a lower cost by focusing on keeping individuals healthy and out of the hospital.
