Shannon Medical Center | Health Beat | Fall 2020

8 HEALTH BEAT Need a primary care provider? Ours are accepting new patients. To make an appointment, call 325-481-2000 . Take charge S ome things naturally seem to go together. Bread and butter. Salt and pepper. Even red, white and blue. When it comes to your health, certain things are often seen together too—particularly risk factors. Metabolic syndrome is a good example. Metabolic syndrome is the name given to a group of risk factors that often occur together and increase your chances for developing health prob- lems, such as heart disease, diabetes and stroke. According to the American Heart Association, nearly 1 in 4 American adults has the syndrome. However, it’s possible to have it and not know it. That—and the fact that you can take steps to pre- vent or delay the conditions linked to metabolic syndrome—is why it’s so important to learn about it. MAKING A DIAGNOSIS To have metabolic syndrome, you must be diag- nosed with three or more of the following:    ● A large waistline, which is defined as 40 inches or more for a man and 35 inches or more for a woman.    ● A high triglyceride level (or you’re on medicine to treat it).    ● A low HDL cholesterol level (or you’re on medicine to treat it).    ● A higher-than-normal blood pressure (or you’re on medicine to treat it).    ● A high fasting blood sugar level (or you’re on medicine to treat it). CHANGING YOUR FUTURE Fortunately, if you do develop metabolic syn- drome, lifestyle changes and medications can help you control it. You’ll want to lose weight if you’re overweight, quit smoking if you smoke and, with your pri- mary care provider’s approval, be more physically active. Also key is eating a heart-healthy diet that emphasizes whole grains, fruits and vegeta- bles and is low in unhealthy fats, sugar and salt. Your provider can help you make these lifestyle changes. He or she may also recommend that you take medicines. NOW Metabolic syndrome NOW News HEALTH BEAT is published as a community service for the friends and patrons of SHANNON MEDICAL CENTER, 120 E. Harris Ave., San Angelo, TX 76903, telephone 325-653-6741. Len Mertz , Chairman, Board of Directors Shane Plymell , President and CEO Lyndy Stone , Editor Daisy Glaspie, Copywriter Information in HEALTH BEAT comes from a wide range of medical experts. If you have any concerns or questions about specific content that may affect your health, please contact your health care provider. Models may be used in photos and illustrations. 2020 © Coffey Communications, Inc. All rights reserved. FALL 2020 shannonhealth.com Shannon Medical Center complies with applicable federal civil rights laws and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, or sex. Language assistance services, free of charge, are available to you. Please call 325- 653-6741, ext. 6541. Shannon Medical Center cumple con las leyes federales de derechos civiles aplicables y no discrimina por motivos de raza, color, nacionalidad, edad, discapacidad o sexo. ATENCIÓN: si habla español, tiene a su disposición servicios gratuitos de asistencia lingüística. Llame al 325- 653-6741, ext. 6541. Shannon Clinic–Beauregard 120 E. Beauregard Ave. 325-658-1511 Shannon Clinic–Pediatrics 225 E. Beauregard Ave. 325-481-2287 Shannon Clinic–Harris 220 E. Harris Ave. 325-658-1511 Shannon Clinic–Jackson 2237 S. Jackson St. 325-481-2321 Shannon Clinic–Magdalen 102 N. Magdalen St. 325-658-1511 Shannon Clinic–Southwest 4450 Sunset Drive 325-658-1511 Shannon Clinic–Sunset 4235 Southwest Blvd. 325-481-2197 Shannon Clinic Urgent Care–North 2626 N. Bryant 325-481-2271 Shannon Clinic Urgent Care–West 4251 Sunset Drive 325-481-2226 Shannon Clinic Urgent Care–South 3502 Knickerbocker Road 325-481-2222 Shannon Clinic– Red Arroyo 3016 Vista del Arroyo Drive 325-949-9408 Family Health Center–Ozona 102 Ave. H 325-392-3788 Shannon Clinic– Big Spring 2503 Gregg St. 432-606-5178 HEALTH BEAT