If you want to fully embrace a healthier lifestyle, become your own patient advocate. As your own advocate, you will make a serious effort to understand different health/disease risks and where you stand in such a range. If you recently had a physical and your doctor tells you that your cholesterol is high, then go on a fact finding mission to understand exactly what that means. Knowing where your health criteria stands is important so later improvements or changes can be monitored. This is very easy to do, yet most of us receive our doctor's input with a glazed over look and forget about anything discussed immediately upon leaving the doctor's office. It is time to change old habits and get serious. Your annual physicals and lab work are important and they do help paint an overall picture of your health. They also act as signposts for any trouble that may be lurking.
I have one client who underwent a cardio stress test, and passed with flying colors. Even with this result, his family encouraged him to also have a nuclear test as the family consensus was that his color was not good and he had a certain, lingering fatigue. Luckily, they pursued nuclear testing as it revealed major blockages in his heart. This spared him of a major heart attack waiting to strike. He was in surgery days later...
My point is that many things can go wrong with the human body. Sometimes there are red flags, and glaringly obvious symptoms, and other times the quiet, sum of parts add up to a volatile mix of risk. Taking five minutes to get your arms around your health findings could lead you to improve the quality of your life, or even save it. Seek out reliable sources of information, and see where you stand. If you have questions regarding the particulars of cholesterol, blood pressure, BMI, body fat, and so forth, I recommend using the trusted sources below. Additionally, all of these organizations offer helpful peripheral information and tools to keep you well informed and engaged in your own health. As always, go to your doctor prepared and leave more educated.
American Medical Association
http://www.ama-assn.org/
American Heart Association
http://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/
NIH (National Institutes of Health)
http://nih.gov/
CDC (Centers for Disease Conrol)
http://www.cdc.gov/
