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Wellness Center staff to offer screenings On Wednesday, Feb. 22, Annie Cruzan, MUSC Wellness Center, and Nicole Hitte, Wellness Center intern from East Carolina University, will offer free blood pressure screenings, help  determine Body Mass Index (BMI) and measure  waist to hip ratios (WHR) so you may know your numbers and risk factors for heart disease. The screening and tests will take place in the Children's Hospital lobby from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. These are simple, yet important screenings as they each relate to the potential for developing heart and other health diseases.   The ideal blood pressure, according to the American Heart Association (AHA) and the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM), is any reading less than 120/80mg/dL. In recent years another category was developed that places an individual with blood pressure readings of 120/80-139/89 mg/dL in a pre-hypertensive category, while blood pressure readings greater than 140/90 mg/dL  are considered hypertensive. These readings should be discussed with a physician and and put an individual at risk for heart disease. Weight loss, exercise, changing dietary habits, etc. can have a positive affect on blood pressure.   The BMI and WHR are two additional tests to consider when assessing risk factors for heart disease. For example, a BMI of 18.5-24.9kg/m2 places men and women in a normal weight range and at low risk for heart disease, while a BMI greater than 30kg/m2 indicates obesity and a definite risk factor for heart disease.   Waist to hip ratios are also useful when looking for additional health risks. It is well known that greater amounts of abdominal fat increase both men and women’s’ risk for developing heart disease and certain types of cancer. A WHR greater than 0.86 for young women and 0.95 for young men increases health risks according to ACSM. For men and women older than 60 years of age, health risks also increase with WHR’s of 1.03 and 0.90 respectively.   Equally important to knowing these assessment numbers is knowing your total, HDL and LDL cholesterol values. Information will be available on how to lower your cholesterol and the role exercise can play in that process. The American College of Sports Medicine has the following classifications regarding cholesterol. Total cholesterol less than 200mg/dL is desirable, total cholesterol of 200-239mg/dL is considered borderline high,  and total cholesterol greater than or equal to 240mg/dL is considered high. Low density lipoproteins (LDL) less than 100mg/dl is optimal, while levels higher than that are not as desirable. Quoting from the ACSM’s Guidelines for Exercise Testing and Prescription Seventh Edition, “…elevated LDL cholesterol is a powerful risk factor for CAD(coronary artery disease) and lowering of LDL cholesterol results in a striking reduction in the incidence of CAD.” High density lipoproteins, known as “good cholesterol” should be greater than 40mg/dL.   Aerobic or cardiovascular exercise is one way to have a positive impact on each of the above values. The ACSM guidelines for aerobic activity suggest 3-5 days/week of light to moderate activity for 20 to 60 minutes. More specific information will be available on Wednesday.   Friday, Feb. 17, 2006 Catalyst Online is published weekly, updated as needed and improved from time to time by the MUSC Office of Public Relations for the faculty, employees and students of the Medical University of South Carolina. Catalyst Online editor, Kim Draughn, can be reached at 792-4107 or by email, catalyst@musc.edu. Editorial copy can be submitted to Catalyst Online and to The Catalyst in print by fax, 792-6723, or by email to catalyst@musc.edu. To place an ad in The Catalyst hardcopy, call Island Papers at 849-1778, ext. 201.