Knowing and understanding your health numbers is an important step in understanding your health risks and strengths. Below are biometric values you should be aware of, along with the descriptions and healthy ranges for each. If your values are outside the ranges noted below, talk with your health care provider. Your provider can help you understand your numbers and tell you how you can improve your numbers and overall health.
Total cholesterol is a sum of the blood’ s cholesterol content.Your total cholesterol value is often part of a complete cholesterol test, also called a lipid panel or lipid profile
In Range: < 200 mg / dL
Low – density lipoprotein(LDL) cholesterol is sometimes called the“ bad” cholesterol because too much can cause buildup of fatty deposits in the arteries.
In Range (healthy): < 130 mg / dL (if you do not have heart disease or diabetes)
In Range (diabetes): < 100 mg / dL (if you have diabetes)
In Range (heart disease): < 70 mg / dL (if you have heart disease)
High – density lipoprotein(HDL) cholesterol is known as the“ good” cholesterol because it helps prevent arteries from being clogged
In Range: ≥ 40 mg / dL
Triglycerides are a type of fat found in the blood and are stored in fat cells.
In Range: < 150 mg / dL
A fasting blood glucose test measures the amount of sugar(glucose) in the blood after not eating overnight or for at least eight hours.
In Range: < 100 mg / dL
An A1C test reflects average blood sugar levels over the past two to three months.It measures what percentage of the oxygen – carrying protein in red blood cells(hemoglobin) is coated with sugar.
In Range (healthy): < 5.7% (if you do not have diabetes)
In Range (diabetes): < 7.0% (if you have diabetes)
Blood pressure is determined by the amount of blood your heart pumps and the amount of resistance to blood flow in your arteries.The more blood your heart pumps and the narrower your arteries, the higher your blood pressure.
In Range – Systolic BP (top number): < 120 mm Hg
In Range – Diastolic BP(bottom number): < 80 mm Hg
Slightly elevated blood pressure is known as borderline high blood pressure(prehypertension).Prehypertension will likely turn into high blood pressure(hypertension) if you don’ t make lifestyle changes, such as to start exercising and eating healthy.Both prehypertension and high blood pressure increase your risk of heart attack, stroke and heart failure.
Borderline High Systolic BP (top number): 120 mm Hg – 139 mm Hg
Borderline High Diastolic BP(bottom number): 80 mm Hg – 89 mm Hg
High blood pressure is a common condition in which the force of the blood against your artery walls is high enough that it may eventually cause health problems, such as heart disease.
High Systolic BP (top number): ≥ 140 mm Hg
High Diastolic BP(bottom number): ≥ 90 mm Hg