Know Your Numbers By Heart

The first step to good health is knowing your cholesterol, triglyceride and blood pressure levels.
 

Total cholesterol

• Less than 200 mg is optimal
• 200-239 mg is desirable
• Over 240 mg is high

Good cholesterol (HDL)

• Above 40 mg is desirable

Bad cholesterol (LDL)

• Below 100 mg is optimal for everyone
• Anything above 160 mg is high

Triglycerides

• Below 150 mg is normal
• 150-199 mg is borderline
• 200-499 mg is borderline high
• Over 500 mg is high

Blood pressure
Blood pressure readings include a top number (the systolic pressure) and a bottom number (the diastolic pressure), both measured in millimeters of mercury. Here’s what your blood pressure readings mean:
Normal and Desirable:

• Top number below 120 and bottom number below 80

Pre-hypertension

• Top number between 121-139 and bottom number between 81-89.

Stage 1 Hypertension

• Top number between 140-159 and bottom number between 90-99.

Stage 2 Hypertension

• Top number above 160 and bottom number above 100
   

If your numbers do not fall within the healthy ranges, please consult your physician or schedule an appointment with a MetroSouth Medical Center physician by calling 708-489-7925.