Know Your Numbers

What numbers do you need to know in your daily life?  Your Personal Identification Number (PIN) for the ATM machine, certain phone numbers, computer passwords, even your Social Security Number. 

When it comes to your health, there are four numbers that you need to know.  They are your Body Mass Index (BMI), blood pressure, cholesterol and glucose, and they serve as the most basic indicators of your health.  Knowing your numbers can help you better understand your risk for serious health concerns like cardiovascular disease, diabetes and stroke.

Know Your Numbers:  How High is Your BMI?
A quick way to assess your overall health is by calculating your Body Mass Index (BMI).  Your BMI is based on your height and weight, and is an effective indicator of your level of body fat, which can significantly affect your overall health.

Do you know your BMI?
If not, use this link to the Department of Health and Human Services’ online BMI calculator to determine your BMI.  The site also features tips for nutrition, a BMI calculator for children and teens, and other healthy lifestyle information.

Use the chart below to find out how your BMI measures up.

BMI                 Weight Status
Below 18.5        Underweight
18.5 – 24.9        Normal
25.0 – 29.9        Overweight
30.0 – 39.9        Obese
40 +                 Morbidly Obese

The higher your BMI, the higher your risk of developing health problems due to excess weight.  Ideally, your BMI should be between 18.5 and 24.9.  If your BMI is 25 or higher, now is the time to make the healthy lifestyle changes that will reduce your BMI and improve your overall health.

Know Your Numbers:  Blood Pressure
One of the strongest markers for heart disease is measured in two numbers - your blood pressure. You’ve heard the numbers, but do you know what they mean?

The first or top number is systolic blood pressure -- the pressure of blood against artery walls during a heartbeat, when the heart is pumping blood.

The second number is diastolic blood pressure - the pressure of blood against artery walls between heartbeats, when the heart is filling with blood.

-Normal blood pressure is 119/79 or below.

-Pre-hypertension is 120 to 139 (systolic) and/or 80 to 89 (diastolic).

-Hypertension is 140 or higher (systolic) and 90 or higher (diastolic)

If you don’t anticipate having your blood pressure checked at your doctor’s office in the near future, consider using the self-service blood pressure check stations that are located in many drug stores, or buy your own blood pressure cuff.  If your blood pressure readings tend to be at the “pre-hypertension” level, now is the time to make heart-healthy lifestyle changes to reduce your risk of blood pressure complications, such as heart disease, stroke, and kidney damage.

Know Your Numbers: Cholesterol and Triglycerides
Cholesterol and triglyceride blood test results are important numbers you should know when assessing your overall health.  Too much of either substance can put your heart health at risk. 
Your total cholesterol level is made up of HDL and LDL cholesterol.  HDL, also known as good cholesterol, binds with fat in your bloodstream and transports the fat to the liver for disposal. LDL is harmful because it accumulates on the inner walls of your arteries, increasing your risk of heart disease. 

Triglyceride levels are another important indicator of heart health.  You should have only a small amount of triglycerides in your bloodstream.  If blood tests reveal high levels of triglycerides and high LDL, you are at considerable risk for heart disease and should discuss your situation with your doctor as soon as possible. 

Here are the numbers you need to know:

Optimum Cholesterol Levels
Total Cholesterol-below 200 mg/dL
HDL-above 50 mg/dL for women
HDL-above 40 mg/dL for men
LDL-below 130 mg/dL
Triglycerides-below 150 mg/dL

To find out your cholesterol and triglyceride levels, have your doctor perform the blood tests or have the tests done at a local health fair.  Check your local community calendar for information about upcoming health and wellness events in your area.

Know Your Numbers: Glucose 
If you are overweight and don’t exercise regularly, you have already greatly increased your risk of developing type 2 diabetes. If you are diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, insulin injections are only the beginning of a long list of potential medical complications that you may encounter.  Diabetes can lead to heart disease, stroke, kidney disease -- even blindness. 

A fasting blood sugar (glucose) test can tell you if you have type 2 diabetes.  You can have the test performed at your doctor’s office or at a local health fair in your community.  Check your local community calendar for information about upcoming health and wellness events in your area.  Here are the numbers you need to know:

-A normal, healthy fasting blood sugar test result is between 70 and 100 mg/dL.

-Pre-diabetes is indicated by a fasting blood sugar result of 100 to 125 mg/dL.

-A fasting blood sugar of 126 mg/dL or greater is confirmation that you have diabetes.