As part of February's Heart Healthy Awareness Month, many clinics, churches and health fairs will be offering an opportunity to get your heart healthy numbers checked. Better yet, getting back to one of my January Tip's to schedule your annual wellness visit with your doctor, have your physician explain what your numbers and results mean and how you can get your numbers to a healthy level. Oftentimes, modifications in lifestyle including regular exercise and a healthier, cleaner diet can help and improve your numbers to a heart healthy level, thus saving you the heart disease risks down the road, or in your immediate future! Check out the chart below for a quick reference and make February the month you KNOW YOUR NUMBERS AND TAKE ACTION! Remember, your body is where you will live the rest of your life, and you CAN control how well you live in your body!

Target Numbers (Source: American Heart Association)

It is recommended that individuals keep these critical health numbers within the following ranges:

Critical Health Marker Recommended Range More Information
Blood sugar The amount of sugar (glucose) in the blood Prediabetes
HbA1c (glycosylated hemoglobin) less than 6%
Diabetes
HbA1c (glycosylated hemoglobin) less than 7%
Pre-meal glucose – 70 to 130 mg/dl
Post-meal peak glucose - <180 mg		 Blood sugar is measured by the amount of glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) in your blood. An HbA1c test gives you a picture of your average blood sugar control for the past 2 to 3 months and provides you with a better idea of how well your diabetes treatment plan is working.
Your healthcare provider will advise you if these ranges are too strict for your condition.
Blood pressure The force of blood against the arteries when the heart beats and rests Less than 130/80 mm Hg Blood pressure is typically measured by a device that uses the height of a column of mercury (Hg) to reflect the circulating systolic and diastolic pressures. Systolic pressure (top number) is the peak pressure in the arteries, and diastolic pressure (bottom number) is the lowest pressure.
Get more information about high blood pressure.
Blood cholesterol A waxy substance produced by the liver LDL cholesterol levels below 100 mg/dL
HDL cholesterol level above 40 mg/dL for men and 50mg/dL for women
Triglycerides below 100 mg/dL		 Because cholesterol is unable to dissolve in the blood, it has to be transported to and from the cells by carriers called lipoproteins. Low-density lipoprotein (or LDL) cholesterol, is known as "bad" cholesterol; high-density lipoprotein (or HDL) cholesterol, is known as "good" cholesterol.
Get more information about cholesterol.
Body weight A body mass index (BMI) of 18.6-24.9
Waistline smaller than 35 inches for women and 40 inches for men		 A person's ideal body weight varies by gender, age, height, and frame. Your body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference provide good indicators of whether you are at a healthy weight. Use our BMI calculator tool.
Get more information about weight management.