Have you just gotten a report from your doctor and have absolutely no idea what it means? Not to worry, we’ve gathered all the basics here from the National Institutes of Health, the American Diabetes Association, and other health organizations to help you make sense of it all. Here’s a breakdown:
Body Mass Index
This is a measure of body fat in adults based on height and weight. Keep in mind that BMI doesn't take into account body composition. If you have solid bones and a lot of muscle, you may have a high BMI but not be overweight. On the flip side, if you have little muscle but a hefty amount of fat, you may have a low BMI but still be in danger of some health risks.
|
If your BMI is: |
You’re considered: |
|
Below 18.5 |
Underweight |
|
18.5 – 24.9 |
Healthy weight |
|
25.0 – 29.9 |
Overweight |
|
30.0 and above |
Obese |
For most adults, a BMI in the overweight or obese categories is associated with a greater risk for many diseases, including:
- High blood pressure
- Type 2 diabetes
- Heart disease
- Stroke
- Certain cancers (including endometrial, breast, colon, kidney, gallbladder, and liver)
- Gallbladder disease
- Osteoarthritis
- Sleep apnea and other breathing problems
Cholesterol
Cholesterol is a waxy, fat-like substance that’s found in all your cells. It travels through your bloodstream in small packages called lipoproteins. Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) is the “bad” kind. A high level can buildup in the vessels that carry blood from your heart through your arteries to your body, blocking the arteries from doing their job. High-density lipoprotein (HDL) is the “good” kind, because it carries cholesterol from other parts of your body back to your liver, which removes it from your body. Triglycerides are another form of fat in your blood.
|
If your total cholesterol level is: |
Your level is considered: |
|
Less than 200 mg/dL |
Desirable |
|
200-239 mg/dL |
Borderline high |
|
240 mg/dL and above |
High |
| If your LDL cholesterol level is: | Your level is considered: |
| 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 |
| If your HDL cholesterol level is: | Your level is considered: |
| Less than 40 mg/dL | Low (and your risk for heart disease high) |
| 60 mg/dL or more | Good (and offers some protection against heart disease) |
| If your triglycerides are: | Your level is considered: |
| 150 – 199 mg/dL | Borderline high |
| 200 mg/dL or more | High |
Blood Pressure
As your heart pumps, the blood pushes against the walls of the arteries while it travels to the rest of your body. The force it creates is called blood pressure. The beat of your heart is called systolic pressure (the top number), and the rest between beats is called diastolic pressure (the bottom number). High blood pressure usually has no symptoms, but it can cause serious problems such as stroke, heart attack, and heart failure.
| If your top number is: | If your bottom number is: | Your pressure is considered: | |
| 119 or below | and | 79 and below | Normal |
| 120 - 139 | or | 80 - 89 | Prehypertension |
| 140 - 159 | or | 90 - 99 | High blood pressure (Stage 1) |
| 160 or higher | or | 100 or higher | High blood pressure (Stage 2) |
Fasting Blood Glucose (or Sugar)
Glucose is the main source of energy your body uses in order to fuel the cells.
| If your fasting blood glucose is: | It probably means: |
| Between 70 and 99 mg/dL | Your blood sugar is normal |
| Between 100 to 125 mg/dL | You have impaired fasting glucose (sometimes called pre-diabetes) |
| 126 mg/dL and higher | You have diabetes |