The 5 Health Numbers Worth Knowing
Health can feel complicated. There are tons of measurements, tests, and device scores to track. But you do not need to obsess over all of them. If your goal is to monitor your long-term health, 5 numbers deserve attention: blood pressure, cholesterol, blood sugar, waist or body weight, and cardiorespiratory fitness. Dr. Deryk Harting of Chambers Medical Group, one of the highest rated car accident medical doctor care teams in Florida, discusses the 5 health numbers worth knowing.
- Blood pressure
- If you track only one number, it should be blood pressure.
- The American Heart Association (AHA) considers below 120/80 mmHg optimal. A reading of 120–129 systolic and a diastolic below 80 is considered elevated. Consistent readings of 130/80 or higher fall into the hypertension range. Here is a breakdown of blood pressure readings:
- Excellent: consistently below 120/80
- Worth watching: 120–129 and below 80
- Needs attention: consistently 130/80 or higher
- Cholesterol
- Pay attention to LDL cholesterol and non-HDL cholesterol. The AHA identifies non-HDL cholesterol as a useful number to monitor. Depending on risk factors, your doctor may also recommend ApoB, which can provide information about the number of potentially harmful cholesterol-containing particles in your blood.
- Blood sugar
Hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) or A1C estimates your average blood glucose over the last 2 to 3 months. A fasting glucose below 100 mg/dL is also considered normal. A healthy A1C is a sign that your metabolic health is in good shape. As a general guide:
- Normal: A1C below 5.7%
- Prediabetes: 5.7%–6.4%
- Diabetes: 6.5% or higher
- Waist size or body composition
- The scale can be useful, but where you carry fat matters.
- The AHA considers a BMI below 25 an optimal range for cardiovascular health, while also acknowledging that BMI is an imperfect measure.
- Waist circumference adds useful information because excess abdominal fat is associated with metabolic risk.
- It is important to not chase a particular number at the expense of strength, nutrition, or overall fitness.
- Cardiorespiratory fitness
- This aspect of health is often overlooked.
- Your ability to perform sustained physical activity is a strong indicator of health. You do not necessarily need a laboratory VO2 max test. A practical test is how easily you can walk briskly, climb stairs, run, cycle, or otherwise sustain aerobic activity.
- Unlike some blood tests, fitness is something you can actively improve.
- The AHA recommends at least 150 minutes of moderate intensity activity or 75 minutes of vigorous activity each week.
There is no single magic health number or test. The AHA’s Life’s Essential 8 includes blood pressure, blood lipids, blood glucose, weight, physical activity, diet, nicotine exposure, and sleep. Do not optimize one number while ignoring the others. If you want a simple starting point, know your blood pressure, LDL/non-HDL cholesterol, A1C, waist or weight trend, and fitness level. Then look at how those numbers change over the years.
— This article is written by Deryk Harting, DC, one of the members of Chambers Medical Group’s team of car accident chiropractors who offer a variety of treatments and therapies ranging from diagnostic testing to various soft tissue therapies for car accidents and injuries in Florida.
Contact Chambers Medical Group to schedule an evaluation or find the location nearest you.
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