Body Mass Index: An Important Measurement

By Jody Smith HERWriter

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Nurse Deanna Carlson wants you to know that your Body Mass Index (BMI) is important. This measurement tells you whether your weight is within healthy parameters.

Your Body Mass Index tells you whether you might be at risk for heart disease or stroke. It tells you whether you're carrying an unhealthy amount of fat around your internal organs.

Too high a Body Mass Index lets you know that you may end up with higher than normal levels of glucose or blood pressure.

The Women's Heart Center program at St. Joseph Hospital offers heart and vascular screening, free heart and health risk assessments, seminars on nutrition, exercise and osteoporosis, and specialized care for women with heart disease.

"Symptom recognition is a key problem," says Women's Heart Center co-director Shalizeh Shokooh, M.D. "About one third of women don't experience the typical symptoms of heart disease that most men experience. Many women report having vague chest discomfort with a sudden onset of severe fatigue or shortness of breath."

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https://www.empowher.com/heart-disease/content/why-do-women-need-know-their-bmi-and-waist-measurement-nurse-carlson-video

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We value and respect our HERWriters' experiences, but everyone is different. Many of our writers are speaking from personal experience, and what's worked for them may not work for you. Their articles are not a substitute for medical advice, although we hope you can gain knowledge from their insight.