Do You Know Your Numbers?

What does it mean to “know your numbers?”  These are numbers everyone should learn about and keep track of on a regular basis.

• Blood sugar levels
• Blood pressure
• Cholesterol levels
• Body Mass Index (BMI)

It is important to schedule an appointment with your doctor to check your numbers, even if you are not sick.  Knowing your numbers today is much better than waiting until you are sick to see your doctor.  It makes you and your doctor aware of your risk factors and helps lead you on the path to a heart healthier you!

Blood Sugar Levels

A blood sugar test measures the amount of a type of sugar (glucose) in your blood.  Glucose is the main source of energy used by your body and it comes from carbohydrates (starches and sugars). Learn more.

There are several tests that can be done to measure blood sugar.  These tests include:

• Fasting blood sugar (FBS) – measures blood glucose after going at least eight hours without eating
• 2-hour postprandial blood sugar – measures blood glucose exactly two hours after you started eating
• Random blood sugar – measures blood glucose no matter when you ate

Normal blood sugar results are as follows based on the test performed:

• Fasting blood sugar test:  70-99 mg/dL
• 2-hour postprandial blood sugar test:  70-145 mg/dL
• Random blood sugar test:  70-125 mg/dL

Blood Pressure

Blood pressure consists of two numbers. Your systolic pressure (top number) measures the pressure of blood against artery walls when the heart pumps blood out during a heartbeat, while the diastolic pressure (bottom number) measures the same pressure between heartbeats, when the heart fills with blood. A normal blood pressure is below 120/80.  Someone with hypertension (high blood pressure) will have a blood pressure of 140/90 or higher.  Those at risk of developing high blood pressure (pre-hypertension) will have a systolic number between 120 and 139 and a diastolic number between 80 and 89. Learn more.

Cholesterol Levels

There are two types of cholesterol—good cholesterol and bad cholesterol.  Cholesterol is measured by way of three different numbers including HDL (high density lipoprotein and good cholesterol), LDL (low density lipoprotein and bad cholesterol) and triglycerides.  These numbers combined give you your lipid profile score.  However it’s important to view these scores individually.  Learn more.

Here are ideal cholesterol scores:

• Total cholesterol of 200 mg/dL or lower (HDL and LDL combined)
• For women, HDL of 50 mg/dL or higher
• LDL of 100 mg/dL or lower
• Triglycerides of less than 150 mg/dL

Body Mass Index (BMI)

By evaluating height and weight, BMI helps to determine whether or not someone is overweight. Learn more.

BMI Categories:

• Healthy Weight:  BMI of 18.5 to 24.9
• Overweight:  BMI of 25 to 29.9
• Obese:  BMI over 30
• Morbidly Obese:  BMI of 40 or more