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Men's Health

PSA

Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) is a glycoprotein in the cytoplasm of prostatic epithelial cells. It can be detected in the blood of all adult men. The PSA level is increased in men with prostate cancer but can also be increased somewhat in other disorders of the prostate.

PSA levels under 4 ng/mL are usually considered "normal," results over 10 ng/mL are usually considered "high," and results between 4 and 10 ng/mL are usually considered "intermediate."

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Blood Pressure

Blood pressure is a measurement of the force applied to the walls of the arteries as the heart pumps blood through the body. The pressure is determined by the force and amount of blood pumped and the size and flexibility of the arteries. It is one of the principal vital signs.

Blood pressure is continually changing depending on activity, temperature, diet, emotional state, posture, physical state, and medication use. In adults, the systolic pressure should be less than 120 mmHg and the diastolic pressure should be less than 80 mmHg.

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Click Here for a Guide to Lowering High Blood Pressure from the National Heart Lung and Blood Institute

Cholesterol

Cholesterol is a soft, waxy substance found in all parts of the body. This includes the nervous system, skin, muscle, liver, intestines, and heart. It is made by the body and also obtained from animal products in the diet.

In general, you want your total cholesterol to be less than 200 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dl). When the level is above 200 mg/dl, the risk for heart disease increases. You should also know your levels of high density lipoprotein (HDL, also known as the "good cholesterol") and low density lipoprotein (LDL, or "bad cholesterol"). Talk to your health care provider about what your cholesterol levels mean.

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Click Here for a What You Need to Know About Cholesterol from the National Heart Lung and Blood Institute

Blood Glucose

Diabetes is a life-long disease marked by high levels of sugar in the blood. To understand diabetes, it is important to first understand the normal process of food metabolism. Several things happen when food is digested:

• A sugar called glucose enters the bloodstream. Glucose is a source of fuel for the body.
• An organ called the pancreas makes insulin. The role of insulin is to move glucose from the bloodstream into muscle, fat, and liver cells, where it can be used as fuel.

People with diabetes have high blood sugar. This is because their pancreas does not make enough insulin or their muscle, fat, and liver cells do not respond to insulin normally, or both.

Normal Blood Glucose Values: Before meals: 90 to 130 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL) After meals: Less than 180 mg/dL

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Click Here for Information About Blood Sugar Monitoring from the American Diabetes Association