Know Your Numbers
Knowing your blood pressure and cholesterol is vital to your health. If either is too high it increases your chances of having a heart attack, heart failure, stroke, kidney disease and other life threatening illnesses. Ask your health care provider today to check these important numbers. And remember to ask what you can do to control your numbers to stay healthy.
Blood Pressure
Nearly one of three adults has high blood pressure and many of those do not know they have it.
The above information is taken from "Mission Possible" materials, click here to learn more about Mission Possible.
Factors Contributing to High Blood Pressure
- Obese/Overweight
- Sodium Intake (Salt)
- Inactive Lifestyle (Lack of Physical Activity)
- Heavy Alcohol Consumption
- Tobacco Use
- Diabetes mellitus, gout and kidney disease
- Pregnancy
- Oral Contraceptives/some other medications
- Age
- Heredity
- Race
- Gender
Cholesterol
Cholesterol is a natural substance found in all living tissue, but when too much of it builds up in your arteries, it can be dangerous. Adults 20 years or older should have their cholesterol checked at least once every five years.
Regular exercise and a healthy diet low in fat can help prevent high blood cholesterol. If you already have high cholesterol, a low-fat diet and regular exercise can help lower your cholesterol. Your health care provider may also ask you to take medications to lower your cholesterol.
Here are the different cholesterol ranges, which numbers are good and which require some work to improve. See how your numbers compare to the table below.
Total Cholesterol Level |
Total Cholesterol Category |
Less than 200 mg/dL |
Desirable |
200–239 mg/dL |
Borderline high |
240 mg/dL and above |
High |
|
|
LDL Cholesterol Level |
LDL Cholesterol Category |
Less than 100 mg/dL |
Optimal |
100–129 mg/dL |
Near optimal/above optimal |
130–159 mg/dL |
Borderline high |
160–189 mg/dL |
High |
190 mg/dL and above |
Very high |
|
|
HDL Cholesterol Level |
HDL Cholesterol Category |
Less than 40 mg/dL |
A major risk factor for heart disease |
40–59 mg/dL |
The higher, the better |
60 mg/dL and above |
Considered protective against heart disease |
Cholesterol levels are measured in milligrams (mg) of cholesterol per deciliter (dL) of blood.
Click here to learn more about the different types of cholesterol (LDL, HDL, Triglycerides, and Lp(a) Cholesterol)
Factors Contributing to High Blood Cholesterol
- Diet
- Foods high in saturated fat
- Foods containing high levels of cholesterol (from animal origin)
- Age: Cholesterol levels tend to increase with age
- Weight: People who are overweight are more likely to have high cholesterol
- Gender: Men tend to have higher LDL levels and lower HDL levels than women do, particularly before age 50. After 50 women’s LDL tends to rise as their estrogen decreases.
- Genetics: For some high cholesterol runs in the family. If you have parents with high cholesterol be sure you are tested and know your cholesterol levels.
Know Your Numbers Materials