Who is Eligible for this Program?
Clinical
screening is available to the following members
of Team Coast Guard:
Purpose of Program
Clinical screenings such as cholesterol, blood pressure and
body fat screenings are intended to identify individuals with elevated
readings and make appropriate referrals to sources of medical care. The
risk of heart disease and other related illness rises as cholesterol,
blood pressure and body fat increase. When other risk factors such as
cigarette smoking and inactivity are present, the risk grows even more.
These screenings provided by the Health Promotion Program are not intended
to replace regular examinations by a health care provider and should only
be used to gain information to share that may be important to share with
your physician.
Definitions
The following definitions apply to Cholesterol Screening:
Screening Information:
Cholesterol | The Coast Guard Health Promotion Program can conduct non-fasting and fasting cholesterol screenings for individuals and entire units. The screening involves a finger-stick test where a few drops of blood are needed to analyze cholesterol levels. Results are available in five to seven minutes. A non-fasting test will determine total cholesterol and HDL (good cholesterol) levels. A fasting test can determine total cholesterol, HDL, LDL (bad cholesterol), triglyceride and glucose levels. |
Blood Pressure |
High blood pressure is often called the “silent killer” because it typically
does not produce any symptoms but can be deadly if left untreated. Blood
Pressure screenings take only a few minutes and can provide valuable
information to the participant about their current cardiac risk. After the screening, Health Promotion Managers can provide information to the participant to assist them in lowering their blood pressure levels. Individuals who are screened at “high risk” for coronary artery disease will be referred to their health care provider for further evaluation. |
Body Fat Analysis | People seeking to achieve a healthy body composition should not rely on scale weight alone as a measure of success. Body fat, or the percentage of fat versus lean body tissue, is a better indicator of a person’s overall health. Body fat screenings can be done by a Health Promotion Manager in just a few minutes by using a skin fold caliper or a bioelectrical impedance device. Members should be dressed in exercise attire to have this screening done. |
Requesting Services or Resources
These services or resources can be obtained by contacting the
Health Promotion Manager on your
Regional Work-Life Staff. Work-Life Staffs are located at Integrated
Support Commands CG-wide and at the Headquarters Support Command.
Screening Guidelines and Recommendations
AHA Recommendation
Total blood cholesterol is the most common measurement of blood
cholesterol. Cholesterol is measured in milligrams per deciliter of
blood (mg/dL). Knowing your total blood cholesterol level is an
important first step in determining your risk for heart disease.
However, a critical second step is knowing your HDL ("good") cholesterol
level.
Blood cholesterol for adults is classified by levels. Your doctor must
interpret your cholesterol numbers based on other risk factors such as
age, family history, smoking and high blood pressure.
Initial classification based on total cholesterol and HDL cholesterol:
Total cholesterol | HDL cholesterol |
Less than 200 mg/dL - Desirable blood cholesterol 200 to 239 mg/dL - Borderline-high blood cholesterol 240 mg/dL and over - High blood cholesterol |
Less than 35 mg/dL - Low HDL cholesterol |
The AHA endorses these National Cholesterol Education Program guidelines:
Total cholesterol less than 200 mg/dL and HDL 35 mg/dL or higher |
|
Total cholesterol less than 200 mg/dL and HDL less than 35 mg/dL |
|
Total cholesterol 200 to 239, HDL 35 mg/dL or higher and fewer than 2 risk factors |
|
Total cholesterol 200 to 239, HDL less than 35 mg/dL or 2 or more risk factors |
|
Cholesterol 240 and above |
|
Blood Pressure Guidelines and
Recommendations
When you have your blood pressure taken, what do the numbers mean? The
higher number, or systolic pressure, represents the pressure exerted
when the heart is beating. The lower number, or diastolic pressure,
represents the pressure exerted when the heart is at rest between beats.
For example, a blood pressure reading of 120 over 80 (120/80) would mean
that your systolic pressure is 122 mm Hg and your diastolic pressure is
80 mm Hg. (Blood pressure is measured in millimeters of mercury, or mm
Hg).
Blood Pressure | Optimal | Normal | High Normal | Hypertension |
---|---|---|---|---|
Systolic | Less than 120 | Less than 130 | 130-139 | 140 or higher |
Diastolic | Less than 80 | Less than 85 | 85-89 | 90 or higher |
Treating high blood pressure may include a low-fat, low-salt diet, losing weight, quitting smoking, reducing alcohol intake and getting more exercise. In addition, medications can be used to reduce and control your blood pressure.
Body Fat Guidelines and Recommendations
A certain amount of body fat is required for normal body functioning. Fat
regulates body temperature, stores energy and insulates organs and tissues.
However, excess body fat can inhibit these functions and cause an increase
in cardiac risk. The following table describes the different ranges for body
fat:
Classification | Women (% fat) | Men (% fat) |
---|---|---|
Essential Fat | 10-12% | 2-4% |
Athletes | 14-20% | 6-13% |
Fitness | 21-24% | 14-17% |
Acceptable | 25-31% | 18-25% |
Obese | 32% plus | 25% plus |
Understanding your current body fat percentage can help to determine
whether an individual’s weight loss goals are realistic. Decreasing body fat
is best achieved by increasing activity, especially resistance training and
decreasing intake of high fat foods.
Important: Body Fat screenings provided by the Health
Promotion Program will NOT be substituted for an active duty member’s
required bi-annual weight screening.
Related Web Sites
The following web sites provide information related to
high blood cholesterol:
Test Your Cholesterol IQ - http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/chd/CholesterolQuiz/quiz.htm. Are you cholesterol smart? Test your knowledge about high blood cholesterol.
Point of Contact
If you are unable to contact the Health Promotions Manager on your
Regional Work-Life Staff, or need additional
assistance beyond the information provided here, please contact the
Headquarters Health Promotions Program Manager, LT Tim Merrell at (202)
475-5146, fax (202) 475-5907, or e-mail at
Timothy.M.Merrell@uscg.mil.