Know Your Numbers
Why should I know my numbers?
Your risk for heart disease and stroke can be assessed by knowing your numbers for body composition, cholesterol, triglycerides, blood pressure and blood sugar and by understanding what they mean.
Body composition tests
Your body is made up of water, fat, protein, carbohydrates, and various vitamins and minerals. If you have too much fat -- especially in your waist area -- your risk for heart disease and stroke is higher.
Body mass index
Body mass index (BMI*) is a of a person's weight to height. BMI is commonly used to classify weight as "healthy" or "unhealthy."
BMI less than 18.5 | Underweight |
BMI 18.5 - 24.9 | Healthy |
BMI 25.0 - 29.0 | Overweight |
BMI 30.0 or more | Obese |
*BMI may not be the most appropriate indicator to determine health status for certain groups of people.
Waist circumference
The waist circumference is a simple measurement around a person’s natural waist (just above the navel). A high-risk waistline is defined as more than 35 inches (88 cm) for women, and more than 40 inches (102 cm) for men.
Cholesterol
Cholesterol is a waxy substance found in all parts of your body. It is coated with a layer of protein to make a “lipoprotein” that can travel through the blood. There are two types of cholesterol:
LDL (low density lipoprotein) carries most of the cholesterol in the blood. When there is too much in the blood, it can lead to a cholesterol buildup in the arteries. This is why LDL cholesterol is called the “bad” cholesterol.
HDL (high density lipoprotein) helps remove cholesterol from the blood and helps prevent the fatty buildup. HDL cholesterol is called the “good” cholesterol.
Total cholesterol
Less than 200 mg/dL | Desirable |
200 - 239 mg/dL | Borderline high |
240 mg/dL or greater | High |
LDL cholesterol
Less than 100 mg/dL | Optimal |
100 - 129 mg/dL | Near/above optimal |
130 - 159 mg/dL | Borderline high |
160 - 189 mg/dL | High |
190 mg/dL and above | Very high |
HDL cholesterol
<40 | Low |
>60 | High |
NOTE: These categories apply to adults age 20 and above.
Triglycerides
Triglycerides are the chemical form in which most fat exists in food as well as in the body. They’re also present in blood plasma and, in association with cholesterol, form the plasma lipids.
Triglycerides in plasma are derived from fats eaten in foods or made in the body from other energy sources such as carbohydrates. Calories ingested in a meal and not used immediately by tissues are converted to triglycerides and transported to fat cells to be stored.
Excess triglycerides in plasma are called hypertriglyceridemia. It’s linked to the occurrence of coronary artery disease in some people. Elevated triglycerides may be a consequence of other diseases, such as untreated diabetes mellitus. As with cholesterol, increases in triglyceride levels can be detected by plasma measurements. These measurements should be made after an overnight food and alcohol fast.
Normal | Less than 150 mg/dL |
Borderline high | 150 - 199 mg/dL |
High | 200 - 499 mg/dL |
Very high | 500mg/dL and above |
Blood pressure
Blood pressure is the force of blood as it moves through the blood vessels. If blood cannot flow easily through the vessels, the force increases. If the force is too great, you have high blood pressure.
The higher (systolic) number represents the pressure while the heart is beating. The lower (diastolic) number represents the pressure when the heart is resting between beats. The systolic pressure is always stated first and the diastolic pressure second.
(Ages 18 Years and Older) | ||
---|---|---|
Blood Pressure Level (mm Hg) | ||
Category | Systolic | Diastolic |
Normal | <120 and | <80 |
Prehypertension | 120-139 | 80-89 |
Stage 1 Hypertension | 140-159 | 90-99 |
Stage 2 Hypertension | >160 or | >100 |
From the Seventh Report of the Joint National Committee on Prevention, Detection, Evaluation, and Treatment of High Blood Pressure (JNC7). |
Blood sugar
Diabetes is a metabolic disorder in which the level of glucose in the blood -- called blood sugar -- is too high. Normally, the body gets its energy from blood sugar, which comes from food.
According to the American Diabetes Association, a fasting blood sugar level in people who do not have diabetes should be between 60 - 99 mg/dL. If you have diabetes, your goal for blood sugar levels using a blood glucose meter should be-
Old Monitor (It does not check plasma glucose levels.) |
New Monitor (It checks plasma glucose levels.) |
|
---|---|---|
Before meals | 80 – 120 mg/dL | 90 – 130 mg/dL |
At bedtime | 100 – 140 mg/dL | 110 – 150 mg/dL |
Your blood sugar goals may be different from these ideal goals. Ask your health care provider what goals are best for you.
For a healthy heart, try to live by these numbers:
Blood pressure | Less than 120/80 | |
BMI | Less than 25 | |
Total cholesterol | Less than 200 mg/dL | |
LDL | Less than 130 mg/dL | |
HDL | Above 40 mg/dL | |
Triglycerides | Less than 150 mg/dL | |
Normal blood sugar | 60 - 99 mg/dL | |
Waist circumference | ||
Men | Less than 40 inches | |
Women | Less than 35 inches |
Resources
- American Diabetes Association
- American Heart Association
- CDC: Healthy Hospital Choices
- CDC: Physical Activity and Health - A Report of the Surgeon General
- CDC: Nutrition & Physical Activity
- Healthy Hearts Project
- National Heart, Blood and Lung Institute
- NIH: Act in Time to Heart Attack Signs
- National Stroke Association
- Listing of Designated Stroke Centers
Publications
- Faith-based Initiative – Love To Love Your Heart
- Chronic Disease Burden Update – Men and Cardiovascular Health
- Chronic Disease Burden Update – Women and Cardiovascular Health
- Chronic Disease Burden Update – Sodium Consumption
- Heart Disease and Stroke in IL: State Action Plan 2007 - 2012
- IL Cardiovascular Disease Burden: Mortality, Morbidity and Risk Factors 2013
- Infographic - Heart Disease
- IL Proclamation - 2018 Sodium Reduction Week
- E-Cigarette Use Among IL Teens Infographic