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Wellness

KNOW YOUR NUMBERS (AMERICAN HEART ASSOCIATION)

1) Blood Sugar

       a. Blood sugar (glucose): should be around 100. If your fasting level is over 120 (or 150 if you have recently eaten) consult your physician.

       b. HbA1c: is an indication of how much glucose is attached to your red blood cells. Gives you an average glucose reading of the past 2 to 3 months                  rather than the past 8 to 10 hours.

                                                        A good HbA1c is 4 to 6 percent.


2) Cholesterol
      a. Know your total cholesterol number: ideally, it should be less than 200mg/dL
      b. HDL (considered your “good” cholesterol, the higher the number the better):
                  i. Less that 40mg/dL (higher risk of cardiovascular disease)
                 ii. 40-59mg/dL (less risk)
                iii. 60+mg/dL (low risk)
      c. LDL (considered “bad” cholesterol)
                  i. Less than 100mg/dL (ideal)
                 ii. 130-159mg/dL (borderline high)
                iii. 160-189mg/dL (high)
                iv. 190+mg/dL (very high)
      d. Chol/HDL ratio:
                i. The American Heart Association recommends a ratio of 5 or below with 3.5 as an ideal target
               ii. Harvard Medical School info:
                               1. Men at 9.6 and Women at 7 are at twice the risk of average for heart disease
                               2. Men at 5 and women at 4.4 are at average risk
                               3. Men at 3.4 and women at 3.3 are at half the average risk


3) Blood Pressure
      a. Can be measured with a blood pressure cuff and can easily be done at home
      b. Normal blood pressure is 120/80 (systolic/diastolic)
      c. High blood pressure would be a systolic of 140+ or a diastolic 90+


4) Body Weight (BMI)
      a. BMI is simply your weight in relation to your height
      b. Weigh yourself then check out the BMI calculator at


5) Waist Circumference
      a. A large waist circumference is associated with an increased risk of type 2 diabetes, high cholesterol, high blood pressure and cardiovascular                       disease
      b. Your waist measurement should be taken by wrapping a measuring tape around your body at the top of your hip bone (usually at the level of your               belly button).
      c. Increased risk of health issues:
                i. Men – greater than 40 inches
               ii. Women – greater than 35 inches
      d. For more information, check out the link at: 

6) Once you know your numbers try:
     a. The cardiac risk assessment at: 

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