Know your numbers
Five numbers from a routine checkup, the ranges each one is judged against, and a wallet card to write yours on. Each range is quoted from the organization linked next to it.
Blood pressure
| Category | Top number (systolic) | Bottom number (diastolic) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Normal | Less than 120 | and | less than 80 |
| Elevated | 120 to 129 | and | less than 80 |
| High, stage 1 | 130 to 139 | or | 80 to 89 |
| High, stage 2 | 140 or higher | or | 90 or higher |
| Severe | Higher than 180 | and/or | higher than 120 |
Units are mm Hg. If a reading is higher than 180/120, the AHA says to wait five minutes and test again, and to contact your health care professional right away if it is still that high. (American Heart Association) One high reading is not a diagnosis: the USPSTF recommends confirming it outside the clinic before treatment. (Blood pressure screening) How to measure it and what the numbers mean at each age: blood pressure readings.
Cholesterol
| Test | Healthy level, age 20 and older |
|---|---|
| Total cholesterol | Less than 200 mg/dL |
| Non-HDL cholesterol | Less than 130 mg/dL |
| LDL ("bad") cholesterol | Less than 100 mg/dL |
| HDL ("good") cholesterol | 60 mg/dL or more is best. Low is less than 40 mg/dL for men, less than 50 mg/dL for women. |
Ranges from the National Library of Medicine, based on National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute guidance. (MedlinePlus, NIH) Most healthy adults should have cholesterol checked every 4 to 6 years. (CDC) If you already have heart disease or diabetes, your doctor may set a different LDL goal. How often to test at each age: cholesterol test by age. Triglycerides, mmol/L values and what each number means: cholesterol test results.
A1c and blood sugar
| Result | A1c | Fasting plasma glucose | 2-hour glucose tolerance test |
|---|---|---|---|
| Normal | Less than 5.7% | Less than 100 mg/dL | Less than 140 mg/dL |
| Prediabetes | 5.7% to 6.4% | 100 to 125 mg/dL | 140 to 199 mg/dL |
| Diabetes | 6.5% or higher | 126 mg/dL or higher | 200 mg/dL or higher |
A diagnosis usually needs a second test on another day to confirm it. (American Diabetes Association) Who should be screened: prediabetes and type 2 diabetes screening. More on each test and what can skew an A1C: A1C and blood sugar results.
A complete blood count (CBC) from a checkup is not on this card. What each part measures and the typical adult ranges: complete blood count results.
BMI and waist
| Category | BMI, adults 20 and older |
|---|---|
| Underweight | Less than 18.5 |
| Healthy weight | 18.5 to less than 25 |
| Overweight | 25 to less than 30 |
| Obesity | 30 or greater |
BMI is one health indicator and should be looked at alongside other factors. (CDC) Waist size adds to it: a waist of more than 35 inches for women or more than 40 inches for men raises the risk of heart disease and type 2 diabetes. (NHLBI, NIH)
Your wallet card
Type your numbers to fill the card, or leave it blank and write on it after printing. What you type stays on this page: it is not sent, saved or tracked, and it is gone when you close the tab.
My numbers
- Blood pressure
- LDL cholesterol
- HDL cholesterol
- A1c
- BMI
- Waist
- Checked on
Ranges
- BP
- Normal: under 120 and under 80 (AHA)
- LDL
- Under 100 mg/dL (NIH)
- HDL
- 60+ best; low under 40 men, 50 women (NIH)
- A1c
- Normal under 5.7%; 5.7 to 6.4% prediabetes (ADA)
- BMI
- 18.5 to under 25 (CDC)
- Waist
- Risk rises over 35 in women, 40 in men (NIH)
Educational only, not medical advice. knowtoprevail.com