There’s a lot of talk these days about personal responsibility. But when it comes to your health, what does that mean exactly?
According to “America’s Doctor” Mehmet Oz, M.D., host of the popular daytime show Dr. Oz, it means “you need to take responsibility for being the healthiest person you can be. ‘No one else is going to do it for you.’”
Oz says there are five personal health numbers everyone should know. These numbers help you to be your own health advocate and take charge of your life.
Blood Pressure
In adults 18 or older, the systolic pressure — the top number — should be 120 or less and the diastolic pressure — the bottom number — should be 80 or less, reports the U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH). If your systolic blood pressure is consistently 120 to 140 or higher, or your diastolic blood pressure is 90 or above, you are considered to have high blood pressure.
Weight
More than 60 percent of adults in the United States are currently overweight and one in three are obese .
For the average 5-foot 4-inch woman, the starting point for obesity is 175 pounds. The average man at 5 feet 9 inches is obese if he weighs 196 pounds or more.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that a person’s weight is the primary health indicator that substantially increases your risk factor for:
- Coronary heart disease
- Type 2 diabetes
- Endometrial, breast, and colon cancers
- High blood pressure
- Stroke
- Liver and gallbladder disease
- Sleeping problems
- Gynecological problems, including infertility
- Bone and joint problems
Losing 5-10 percent of your body weight can help improve your overall health and lower your risk of disease or a chronic condition.
Waist Size
The size of a person’s waist is one of the strongest predictors of heart disease and diabetes reports the Harvard School of Public Health. Measure yours by placing a measuring tape around your waist above your hipbone and below your rib cage.
It should be less than half your height — about 35 inches for a man and 32.5 inches for a woman, according to International Diabetes Federation.
Cholesterol
A simple blood test can tell you what your cholesterol level is. Keep in mind that the total cholesterol level isn’t as important as knowing your HDL (good cholesterol) and LDL (bad cholesterol) numbers.
HDL should be above 40 mg/DL for a man and 50 mg/DL for a woman. LDL should be 100-129mg/DL, according to the Mayo Clinic.
Blood Sugar
High blood sugar (glucose) levels can increase your risk of chronic diseases, such as heart disease, diabetes — even Alzheimer’s disease, according to NIH. Your doctor can test your blood sugar level. For the most accurate reading, fast at least eight hours before your test. A fasting blood sugar level at 100-125 is considered prediabetic.
Lynette Summerill is an award-winning writer and Scuba enthusiast who lives in San Diego with her husband and two beach loving dogs. In addition to writing about cancer-related issues for EmpowHER, her work has been seen in publications internationally.
Learn More:
Your Guide to Lowering High Blood Pressure. National Institutes of Health.
Online: http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/hbp/detect/know.htm
The Health Effects of Overweight and Obesity. The Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention.
Online: http://www.cdc.gov/healthyweight/effects
Waist Size Matters. Harvard School of Public Health.
Online: http://www.hsph.harvard.edu/obesity-prevention-source/obesity-definition/abdominal-obesity
Cholesterol: What numbers should you aim for? Mayo Clinic.
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/cholesterol-levels/CL00001
Glucose Blood Test. MedlinePlus. National Institutes of Health.
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/003482.htm
Reviewed May 23, 2013
by Michele Blacksberg RN
Edited by Jody Smith