In truth, seven numbers can indicate a lot about health, from the risk of heart attack to the presence of diabetes. This is why getting these seven numbers checked is one of the best things that you can do to maintain health.
Here are the “Lucky Seven.” Work to keep them in balance according to your doctor’s recommendations. Your body will thank you.
Weight
Getting on the scale might not be fun, but you’ve got to know your weight to know if you need to shed pounds. Yes, our pants always tell the truth. But knowing the real number behind those tight pants can be a much-needed wake-up call.
Added weight can elevate the risk of lots of conditions like diabetes. It also puts excess pressure on areas that your body relies on -- like the knees. So stop avoiding that scale. Enough said.
Waist Measurement
We often hear that waist size is a critical aspect of health. But do you know why it's important to know your actual waist measurement?
According to Reader’s Digest, waist size can reveal a lot of things. When fat is stored in the waist area, it negatively affects the body. Not only does this elevate the chance of having a heart attack, but it also raises the risk of developing insulin resistance and metabolic syndrome.
Your waist size should be less than 35 inches if you are a woman and less than 40 inches if you are a man. It’s easy to measure. All you need is a measuring tape. Reader’s Digest says to use your belly button as a key reference point. And remember not to suck your stomach in -- be honest with yourself.
Use a simple formula to determine your waist-to-hip ratio. Reader’s Digest says all you have to do is divide the measurement of the narrowest point of your waist with that of the widest portion of your hips. If that ratio is higher than 0.90 inches for a man or higher than 0.85 inches for a female, this demonstrates a tendency to carry weight in the abdominal region, which could point to metabolic syndrome.
Blood Glucose
According to the National Institutes of Health, blood sugar levels fluctuate throughout the day. Normal fasting blood sugar falls in the range of 70 and 99 mg/dl, and normal blood sugar measured a couple of hours after a meal should be less than 140 mg/dl.
If two fasting blood glucose tests in a row show that blood glucose is at or higher than 126 mg/dl, or if a general blood glucose reading is above 200 mg/dl, diabetes is diagnosed. Doctors also look for pre-diabetes or impaired fasting glucose (IFG) when performing these tests. If readings on a fasting blood glucose test are between 100 and 125 mg/dl, this diagnosis is given.
Cholesterol
High cholesterol can run in families; however, it usually is a factor of lifestyle. According to the Mayo Clinic, cholesterol resides in the fats found in blood. And while the body needs some cholesterol, high “bad cholesterol” numbers can be problematic.
To determine cholesterol levels, healthcare professionals will run a test called a lipid panel/profile. This will show your total cholesterol level as well as your LDL and HDL cholesterol levels. In addition, it will show you your triglycerides (which we will tell you about later). This test usually requires a 12-hour fast in order to give doctors the most accurate reading.
Ideally, total cholesterol should be less than 200 mg/dl. If it falls between 200 and 239 mg/dl, it is considered borderline high. A number of 240 mg/dl or higher is considered high cholesterol.
Further, LDL, or “bad” cholesterol levels should be less than 100 mg/dl if you have a risk of heart disease and less than 129 if you don’t have a predetermined risk. HDL, or “good cholesterol” levels should be 60 mg/dl or higher to protect against heart disease.
Sleep Time
According to Men’s Health, the right amount of sleep is considered seven hours and 46 minutes, according to a study conducted in Finland. And the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) say that people should sleep somewhere between seven and eight hours each night.
Lack of sleep elevates the risk of a number of health issues like high blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease and even obesity. So make sleep a priority.
Try to go to bed at the same time every night and get up at the same time every morning -- even on weekends. Minimize distractions from outside factors like television and social media. And reserve the bedroom for just two things -- sleep and sex. Take everything else to another room.
Blood Pressure
Keeping blood pressure in check is an important part of health. High blood pressure can lead to heart damage, stroke and even vision loss. And a number of factors can increase the risk of high blood pressure, like smoking and high cholesterol.
According to the Mayo Clinic, blood pressure readings are classified into four categories ranging from normal blood pressure to hypertension (high blood pressure). Doctors determine how to treat high blood pressure based on these levels, which must be read two or more times at three or more visits to the doctor. Ideally, the top number should be less than 120 and the bottom number should be less than 80.
Triglycerides
Triglycerides can tell a lot about heart health. According to the Mayo Clinic, triglycerides are a type of fat found in the blood. And calories that the body doesn't use are turned into triglycerides. These are stored in fat cells and later used for energy when we’re hungry. So when we eat more than we need, triglycerides can become high. Normal triglyceride levels are considered less than 150 mg/dl. And very high triglyceride levels are considered to be 500 mg/dl or more.
If you're not sure of your "lucky seven" numbers, then it’s time for a trip to the doctor for some quick tests.