4 TexasHealthMansfield.org Know your numbers Four numbers that matter to your health When it comes to your health, there are some key numbers you should know. We’re talking about numbers that reveal risks related to your blood pressure, cholesterol levels, blood sugar and weight. “All of these numbers are extremely important,” says Internal Medicine Physician Hussein Alammar, M.D. “If any of them go beyond a healthy range, it could lead to a cascade of serious conditions.” Here’s a quick look at why these health markers matter: Blood pressure. Blood pressure is the force of blood against the artery walls. Too much pressure—high blood pressure—damages arteries, possibly triggering strokes, heart disease, kidney disease and more. Cholesterol. Your arteries can clog if a high level of LDL (low-density lipoprotein) cholesterol, the “bad” cholesterol, builds up in your blood, setting the stage for a heart attack. Blood sugar. Elevated sugar (glucose) in your blood can lead to prediabetes (a diabetes precursor) and full-blown diabetes, which can damage the body from head to toe. Body mass index (BMI). Along with your waist circumference, your BMI helps doctors gauge if your weight puts you at risk for heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, arthritis, sleep apnea and other conditions. Quiet damage If you don’t feel sick, why should you know these numbers? “You don’t have to have symptoms to have these conditions,” Dr. Alammar says. To stay on top of these vital figures, see your primary care provider for annual wellness exams, Dr. Alammar says. Regular checkups allow your doctor to track these health indicators. Your doctor can make sure you get the blood tests and health screenings you need. Be in charge of your numbers If your numbers aren’t where they should be, says To stay on top of these vital figures, see your primary care provider for annual wellness exams.
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