Today's Woman February 2011

know your numbers Tenesha “Nikki” McCubbins, age 34

“Even if you get results that aren’t good, there’s always something you can do.”

Tenesha “Nikki” McCubbins knows that life — and heart health — can sometimes give you what you expect and sometimes what you don’t expect.

Several members of her mother’s family have had heart attacks without warning, and because of these unexpected events, Nikki now expects a higher risk level for heart disease. But instead of fearing the unknown, she has decided to be proactive about her health.

“If I had terminal cancer, I’d still want to know because it’s all about what you can do to change your life.”

Nikki discovered how she could make positive changes for her heart health when she went to Norton Women’s Heart Center to find out her risk for heart disease. Nikki knew going in that she was struggling with high blood pressure leading to swelling and fluid retention. Despite this and her family history, Nikki was not nervous to know her numbers.

“It’s important to do all you can for your body and do everything you can,” she says. “Even if you get results that aren’t good, there’s always something you can do.”

One number that was particularly important for Nikki was her glucose level because of her family history of diabetes.

Theresa Byrd, RN, the clinical coordinator at Norton Women’s Heart Center, says that the risk of heart disease for those with diabetes is four times that for those without diabetes.

“I was surprised about my glucose level,” Nikki says.

“I know I eat well, but I just have to be very careful because of my family history.”

To lower glucose levels, Byrd recommends limiting sweets and highstarch foods (such as white bread and potatoes). Nikki says she wants to redouble her efforts at eating more fiber, fruits, and vegetables and also reducing her stress level.

“I want to live as long as I possibly can. I know some things are out of my control, but I want to help the things I can control. Some people ignore the signs, but I want to be around for my girls and my parents.”

Glucose: 119

(A litht)le hig

To schedule a heart disease risk screening with Norton Women’s Heart Center, call 502.629.1234.

The cost is $40.

TENESHA “NIKKI” McCUBBINS’ NUMBERS CURRENT

IDEAL

Total Cholesterol HDL LDL Triglycerides Blood Glucose

0

50

100

150

200

*Nikki’s blood pressure is 104/70; ideal blood pressure is 120/80.

Triglyceride/HDL ratio Waist Circumference Blood Pressure

2011

Go Red For Women

H-21

250