Know your numbers – they are key markers of your health and wellbeing.
BLOOD PRESSURE
Measures the pressure put on artery walls when your heart beats and between beats.
- 130/80 mmHg or above is stage one hypertension
- 120/<80 mm Hg is elevated
- Less than 120/80 mm Hg is normal
CHOLESTEROL
Know the “good” (HDL), the “bad” (LDL) and the fats (triglycerides). The higher your HDL, the lower your chance of heart disease, while the more LDL and triglycerides you have, the greater your chance of heart disease.
- Total Cholesterol should be less than 200 mg/dL.
- HDL levels at 60 mg/dL or above are ideal.
- LDL levels should be above 40 and below 100 mg/dL.
- Triglycerides should be below 150.
BLOOD SUGAR
A measure of how much sugar (glucose) is in your blood. High blood sugar can signal diabetes.
- Fasting levels below 100 mg/ dL are healthy.
- Fasting levels between 100 mg/dL and 125 mg/dL are considered prediabetes.
- Fasting levels above 126 mg/dL or higher typically result in a diabetes diagnosis.
A1C
Measures your average blood sugar level for the past two to three months.
- Below 5.7% is normal.
- 5.7% to 6.4% is prediabetic.
- Above 6.5% is typically considered diabetic.
BODY MASS INDEX
BMI can be an indicator of whether a person is underweight, at a healthy weight or overweight.
- 19 to 25 indicates a healthy weight.
- 26 to 30 is overweight (excludes well-muscled individuals).
- 31 or higher is considered obese.
WAIST CIRCUMFERENCE
The number of inches around your abdomen, just above the hipbone. This measurement can indicate your risk for some diseases like diabetes.
- Less than 35 inches is desirable for a woman.
- Less than 40 inches is desirable for a man.
These numbers are based on American College of Sports Medicine and physician recommendations. Appropriate levels may vary for individuals. Please discuss any questions with your health provider.
