By: Tammy Muhlenkamp

It is important to know your “health” numbers! There are key health numbers that impact your
overall health and can help assess your risk for serious conditions such as heart disease and
stroke. Some important numbers to track and be aware of include:

Cholesterol
Cholesterol is an important part of a healthy body because it is used to form cell membranes,
some hormones and is needed for various other functions. A high level of cholesterol in the
blood — hypercholesterolemia — can be a major risk factor for coronary heart disease, which
can lead to heart attack.

LDL
LDL, known as “bad” cholesterol, is the major cholesterol carrier in the blood. If too much LDL
cholesterol circulates in the blood, it can slowly build up in the walls of the arteries feeding the
heart and brain and form plaque — a thick, hard deposit that can clog arteries.

HDL
HDL helps to carry cholesterol away from the arteries and back to the liver, where it is passed
from the body. HDL cholesterol is known as “good” cholesterol because a high HDL level can
protect against heart attack. A low HDL level (less than 40 mg/dL in men; less than 50 mg/dL in
women) indicates a greater risk. A low HDL cholesterol level also may raise stroke risk.

Cholesterol/HDL ratio
Calculating your cholesterol ratio can provide useful information about your risk for heart
disease. A higher ratio indicates a higher risk of heart disease, and a lower ratio indicates a
lower risk. You can calculate your cholesterol ratio by dividing your HDL, or “good” cholesterol
into your total cholesterol. According to the American Heart Association, the goal is to keep
your cholesterol ratio 5 to 1 or lower.

Triglycerides
Triglycerides come from fats in food or are made in the body from other energy sources like
carbohydrates. Calories eaten in a meal that are not used right away by tissues are converted to
triglycerides and transported to fat cells to be stored. Excess triglycerides in the blood can lead
to heart attack, digestive problems, and poor circulation. The cholesterol, LDL, HDL,
Cholesterol/HDL ratio, and triglycerides can be obtained by getting a lipid profile bloodwork
drawn. Your provider can order this through the lab.

Blood Pressure
Blood pressure is a measurement of how hard your heart works to pump blood throughout
your body. Blood pressure is recorded as two numbers—the systolic pressure, the top number
(as the heart beats), over the diastolic pressure, the bottom number (as the heart relaxes
between beats). Both numbers are important. Talk with your doctor about both your numbers
to make sure that they are okay for you.

Hemoglobin A1C
A1C is a blood test that will tell you your average blood sugar over the past three months. An A1C
greater than or equal to 6.5% indicates diabetes. A diagnosis should be confirmed with a repeat
test by a healthcare provider. An A1C between 5.7 to 6.4% can indicate pre-diabetes (increased
risk for developing diabetes).

Glucose
Glucose comes from carbohydrates or from sweet, sugary, and starchy foods. It is the main
source of energy used by the body. A fasting glucose level of less than 100 is considered
normal. This is taken first thing in the morning before eating or drinking anything. If your fasting
glucose is 126 mg/dl or higher on a regular basis, you are at increased risk of diabetes, heart
disease, or stroke, and you should contact your health care provider.

BMI and Waist Circumference
Body Mass Index (BMI) is a number calculated from your weight and height. BMI is used as a
screening tool to identify weight conditions for adults. It is also important to remember that
BMI is not the only factor related to the risk for disease. To determine the likelihood of
developing overweight or obesity-related diseases, it is recommended that you also look at
waist circumference along with other risk factors such as high blood pressure or physical
inactivity. Women with a waist measurement of more than 35 inches or men with a waist
measurement of more than 40 inches have a higher risk of developing health problems, such as
diabetes, high blood pressure and heart disease.

How to Improve Your Numbers
There are various ways to improve your numbers or manage them to help reduce the risk of
disease. Some of these include eating a healthy diet full of vegetables, fruits, whole grains,
beans, nuts, plant-based proteins, and lean animal proteins such as fish and seafood. It is also
important to limit sugary foods and drinks, red or processed meats, salty foods, refined
carbohydrates, and highly processed foods. Being physically active can also reduce your risk of
developing diabetes and help manage the disease if you already have it. Staying at a healthy
weight can help prevent, delay, or manage diabetes. Avoiding smoking, vaping, exposure to
secondhand smoke, or using tobacco can reduce your risk of heart disease, stroke, many cancers,
and other chronic diseases.

Talk to your healthcare provider if you need assistance or more information on managing your
numbers.