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Ask Angie

Your irreverent guide to questions you wouldn’t want to ask your own doctor.

Every and all answers are strictly my opinion based on my own experience and medical knowledge. My qualifications are none. I worked as a RN, BSN in cardiology for 10 years and had several years of general medical nursing experience prior to that. As always, consult your personal physician for advice and treatment. This column is not meant to take the place of regular physician visits.

It is merely an insight to my opinion on various topics.

Q: What is a BMI? Is it like a Korean BMW? How do you find it out and how does it relate to running? Randy Schortz, Austin , TX

Dear Randy~ Sorry Randy, the Korean’s haven’t come up with a competent high end sports car yet so you’re going to have to stick with your Yugo for now. As for the BMI I am going to use website of the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute to help you understand what a BMI is and what it means for your fitness and general overall health. Please see the website for more information and a handy BMI calculator that you can use to determine your own BMI.

Body mass index (BMI) is a measure of body fat based on height and weight that applies to both adult men and women.

BMI Categories:

  • Underweight = <18.5
  • Normal weight = 18.5-24.9
  • Overweight = 25-29.9
  • Obesity = BMI of 30 or greater

Assessment of overweight involves using three key measures:

  • body mass index (BMI)
  • waist circumference, and
  • risk factors for diseases and conditions associated with obesity.

What is Your Risk?

1. Body Mass Index (BMI)

BMI is a reliable indicator of total body fat, which is related to the risk of disease and death. The score is valid for both men and women but it does have some limits. The limits are:

  • It may overestimate body fat in athletes and others who have a muscular build.
  • It may underestimate body fat in older persons and others who have lost muscle mass

2. Waist Circumference

Determine your waist circumference by placing a measuring tape snugly around your waist. It is a good indicator of your abdominal fat which is another predictor of your risk for developing risk factors for heart disease and other diseases. This risk increases with a waist measurement of over 40 inches in men and over 35 inches in women.

The table, Risks of Obesity-Associated Diseases by BMI and Waist Circumference, provides you with an idea of whether your BMI combined with your waist circumference increases your risk for developing obesity associated diseases or conditions.

3. Other Risk Factors

Besides being overweight or obese, there are additional risk factors to consider.

  • high blood pressure (hypertension)
  • high LDL-cholesterol ("bad" cholesterol)
  • low HDL-cholesterol ("good" cholesterol)
  • high triglycerides
  • high blood glucose (sugar)
  • family history of premature heart disease
  • physical inactivity
  • cigarette smoking

4. Assessment

For people who are considered obese (BMI greater than or equal to 30) or those who are overweight (BMI of 25 to 29.9) and have two or more risk factors, the guidelines recommend weight loss. Even a small weight loss (just 10 percent of your current weight) will help to lower your risk of developing diseases associated with obesity. Patients who are overweight, do not have a high waist measurement, and have less than 2 risk factors may need to prevent further weight gain rather than lose weight.

Talk to your doctor to see if you are at an increased risk and if you should lose weight. Your doctor will evaluate your BMI, waist measurement, and others risk factors for heart disease. People who are overweight or obese have a greater chance of developing high blood pressure, high blood cholesterol or other lipid disorders, type 2 diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and certain cancers, and even a small weight loss (just 10 percent of your current weight) will help to lower your risk of developing those diseases.

All information gained from the NHLBI website. Please refer to the link above.


Q: Sometimes when I go out running I get this really fast irregular heartbeat, shooting pains down my left arm, crushing pain in my chest and then I pass out often waking in another city with a hooker. Should I be concerned? Red Ruffansore, Tarpon Springs, FL

Red~ get yourself to the nearest ER to be evaluated for coronary disease, cardiac arrhythmia and STD’s. The hookers must be well trained in CPR to keep bringing you back from the land of the bright light!


Q:What is ITB Syndrome? Is this just another name for one of those rock and rock nonsense groups that those damn kids are listening to these days? Forrest Grunt, Summerlin, LV

Sorry Forrest~ not a rock group that those darned teens listen to. Obviously you have never been hampered by this common and pesky problem that affects MANY runners. I’m going to link you to an excellent and interesting article that sums it all up quite nicely. Hope it helps. http://www.runningtimes.com/rt/articles/

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