Know Your Numbers for Improving Your Health


Do you know your numbers? No, not your home phone or cell phone, we’re talking about the health numbers that could save your life. We’re talking about the numbers for your blood pressure, cholesterol, blood sugar, and body weight.

“Healthy numbers equal a healthy body,” says Kurtis Dornan, M.D., of Lakewood Medical Associates, Rockport. “Knowing your numbers is important to your health and well being. If you follow a healthier lifestyle, eat a balanced diet, get regular exercise and avoid smoking, you can turn any bad numbers around.”

Indeed, these basic numbers provide a snapshot of your health and a road map for improving. By knowing your numbers, you can assess your risk for cardiovascular disease, diabetes, stroke and even dementia. And you have the ability to improve your health by monitoring your numbers.

“It is especially important to be aware of target numbers associated with any chronic diseases for which you are at greater risk due to family history, race, age or sex,” says Dornan.

It’s not hard to find out and write down your number when you see your physician. Keep a small notebook where you can record them year after year. This will help you see how your numbers change over time, depending on the lifestyle choices you are making.

Below are the basic guidelines for normal results. You should know these numbers, or at least have a record of them in your notebook.

Blood Sugar
• Average blood glucose over the last three months (A1C test): Less than 7.0
• Glucose (fasting): between 70 and 99

Cholesterol
• Total Cholesterol: Less than 200
• LDL (“bad cholesterol”): Less than 100
• HDL (“good cholesterol”): More than 40 for men; more than 50 for women

Blood Pressure
• A good target is less than 130/80

Body Mass Index (BMI)
• The “normal” range is 18.5-24.9

You can take steps now to improve your health and life simply by knowing and monitoring your numbers.

Small changes can make a big difference. For example, for every point your raise your HDL, or good cholesterol, you reduce your risk of coronary disease by 2 percent. You can reduce your heart disease risk by 10 percent by simply raising your HDL by five points.

"Monitoring any trends in your numbers is important for improving your health and keeping you on track,” says Dr. Dornan.

Dr. Dornan is a board-certified family medicine physician at Lakewood Medical Associates, Rockport. He treats patients of all ages from newborns to seniors. To make an appointment with Dr. Dornan, call 216.529.7125. Visit lakewoodhospital.org/rockport