February is heart health month, so it’s a good time to not only focus on your dental health, but also whole body health.  Research has shown links between high blood pressure, unhealthy cholesterol levels, obesity, and the risk for developing cardiovascular disease, so it is very important to monitor your levels regularly.

 

Blood Pressure

     Normal:  Below 120/80 mm Hg

     Elevated:  120-129 / <80 mm Hg  (pre-high blood pressure)

     Hypertension:  130-139 / 80-89 mm Hg (Hypertension Stage 1)

140+ / 90+ mm Hg (Hypertension Stage 2)

* hypertension = high blood pressure

 

Blood Glucose (HBA1C Test)

Normal level for someone without diabetes:  Less than 5.7%

Normal level for someone with controlled diabetes:  Less than 7%

 

Cholesterol

Optimal: Total Cholesterol <200 mg/dL

                LDL (“bad cholesterol”) 100-129 mg/dL

                Triglycerides  <150 mg/dL

                HDL (“good cholesterol”)  60+ mg/dL

 

Borderline High:  Total Cholesterol  200-239 mg/dL

                LDL (“bad cholesterol”)  130-159 mg/dL

                Triglycerides  150-199 mg/dL

 

High:  Total Cholesterol  240+ mg/dL

                LDL (“bad cholesterol”)  160+ mg/dL

                Triglycerides  200+ mg/dL

 

Borderline Low:  HDL (“good cholesterol”)  41-59 mg/dL

Low:  HDL (“good cholesterol”)  <40 mg/dL

 

BMI (Body Mass Index)

Underweight:  18.5

Normal (healthy weight):  18.5-24.9

Overweight:  25-29.9

Obese:  30 and above

 

Stay active and eat healthy — happy heart health month!