|
Blood Pressure
_________ /__________
systolic / diastolic
Normal:
< 120 / < 80
Prehypertension:
120-139 / 80-89
Hypertension:
> 139 / > 89 |
When your heart beats, it pumps blood through blood vessels called arteries and creates pressure in them. The higher number (systolic) represents the pressure while your heart is beating. The lower number (diastolic) represents the pressure when your heart is resting between beats. Your blood pressure can change from minute to minute when you change your position or physical activities, or when you are stressed or sleeping. High blood pressure can damage the walls of your arteries. If your first reading is high, your doctor may take several more readings before deciding whether your blood pressure may be a health concern. |
|
Body Mass Index (BMI)
_____________
Height (inches) ______
Weight (pounds) ______
BMI Equation:
Weight in pounds x 703 /
Height in inches x
Height in inches
Underweight: < 18.5
Normal: 18.5–24.9
Overweight: 25.0–29.9
Obese: > 30.0 |
Body Mass Index (BMI), which is a number calculated from your height and weight, is used to estimate body fat. The accuracy of the BMI in determining your body fat is influenced by factors such as your fitness level, muscle mass, bone structure, sex, and ethnic origin. This means that some individuals may have a high BMI but not have a high percentage of body fat. However, BMI provides a reliable indicator of body fat for most people. Therefore, it is used to screen for weight problems that may lead to health concerns. See BMI calculator. |
|
Total Cholesterol
_____________
Desirable: < 200
Borderline high: 200-239
High: ≥ 240 |
Your body produces all the cholesterol it needs; however, cholesterol is also added to your body from the foods you eat—mainly saturated fats. Foods rich in saturated fat include butter fat in milk products, fat from red meat, and tropical oils such as coconut oil. If you keep your total cholesterol level within the desirable range, you may reduce your chances of heart attack and stroke. However, cholesterol is composed of both "good" and "bad" parts, which also need to be considered. Two important parts of cholesterol are low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and high-density lipoprotein (HDL). |
|
HDL, or "Good" Cholesterol
____________
Low: < 40
Normal: 40-59
Optimal: ≥ 60 |
HDL cholesterol, or "good" cholesterol, helps clear away cholesterol that can stick to your arteries and damage them. The higher the concentration of HDL in your blood, the less likely you are to develop coronary heart disease. The amount of HDL cholesterol you have may be increased in a number of ways, including getting regular physical activity, not smoking, and losing weight. |
|
Fasting Triglycerides
__________
Normal: < 150
Borderline high:
150 – 199
High: ≥ 200 |
Triglycerides are in a class of blood fats known as "lipids." If you have eaten within 12 hours of having your blood tested, your level may be falsely high. A high triglyceride level can result in hardening of the arteries, a condition often called "coronary artery disease." High levels of triglycerides are more common in people who are overweight, have diabetes, and/or who do not process fat properly. Your triglyceride levels may be reduced by decreasing your intake of simple sugars (sweets) and alcohol and by increasing your physical activity. |
|
Calculated LDL, or "Bad" Cholesterol
____________
Optimal: < 100
Near optimal: 100-129
Borderline high: 130 -159
High: ≥ 160
Very high: > 190 |
LDL cholesterol, or "bad" cholesterol, is a major contributor to blockages in the arteries that can cause heart attack, stroke, and poor circulation. The higher your LDL concentration, the more likely you are to develop these conditions. LDL cholesterol may be decreased by reducing trans fats and saturated fats that you eat and by eating more fiber-rich foods. If you have eaten within 12 hours before having this test, your LDL level may be incorrect. |
|
Total Cholesterol /
HDL Ratio
___________
Desirable: < 4.6 |
The total cholesterol/HDL ratio is an indicator of your potential for developing blockages in the arteries of your heart. A ratio greater than 4.5 is considered a high risk for heart disease. The ratio may be lowered by increasing your good (HDL) cholesterol and/or decreasing your bad (LDL) cholesterol. |
|
Fasting Glucose
___________
Normal: 60-99
Pre-diabetes: 100 -125
Diabetes: > 126 |
A fasting glucose test shows the amount of sugar in your blood. If you have eaten within 8 hours before this test, your glucose level may be falsely elevated. Glucose rises rapidly after meals but should return to near fasting value within 2 hours. A high blood glucose level may be a sign of diabetes or pre-diabetes. |
|
Waist Circumference
__________ inches
High Risk Levels
> 40 inches for men
> 35 inches for women |
A waist circumference measurement assesses abdominal fat. Too much abdominal fat is associated with a greater health risk than fat located in the hips, thighs, or buttocks. Too much abdominal fat is an "independent risk factor" for high cholesterol and heart disease, regardless of your BMI score, which could be normal. A large waist circumference is also associated with an increased risk for type 2 diabetes and hypertension.
See how to measure your waistline.
|
Share
