Knowing a few basic health measurements can give you useful information about your health even when you feel perfectly well.
A number on its own does not tell the whole story, and it should not be used to diagnose a condition without appropriate medical assessment. But tracking certain health measurements can help identify potential risks early and give you useful information to discuss with a healthcare professional.
Here are five numbers worth knowing.
1. Blood Pressure
Blood pressure measures the force of blood pushing against the walls of your arteries as your heart pumps. It is recorded using two numbers:
- Systolic pressure: the pressure when your heart contracts.
- Diastolic pressure: the pressure when your heart relaxes between beats.
For example, a reading of 120/80 mmHg has a systolic value of 120 and a diastolic value of 80.
High blood pressure, or hypertension, often causes no obvious symptoms. Over time, uncontrolled high blood pressure can increase the risk of serious conditions including heart disease, stroke and kidney disease. That is why checking your blood pressure periodically can be important, even when you feel well.
One reading also does not necessarily tell the full story. Blood pressure can vary depending on factors such as activity, stress, caffeine and the circumstances in which it is measured.
2. Blood Glucose
Blood glucose, or blood sugar, is the amount of glucose in your blood. Your body needs glucose for energy, but blood glucose that remains too high can damage the body over time.
Two commonly used tests include:
- Fasting blood glucose, which measures blood glucose after fasting for a specified period.
- A1C, which provides an estimate of average blood glucose levels over approximately the previous 2–3 months.
Changes in blood glucose can develop without obvious symptoms, particularly in prediabetes and type 2 diabetes. Knowing your risk and discussing appropriate testing with a healthcare professional can help identify changes earlier.
3. Cholesterol
Cholesterol is a waxy substance that your body needs to function. It helps with important processes including making hormones and building cells. But having too much of certain types of cholesterol in the blood can contribute to the buildup of plaque in arteries.
A cholesterol test, often called a lipid panel, can provide information about different types of cholesterol and other blood fats, including:
- LDL cholesterol, often described as “bad” cholesterol because high levels can contribute to plaque buildup.
- HDL cholesterol, often described as “good” cholesterol because it helps transport cholesterol away from the arteries.
- Triglycerides, another type of fat found in the blood.
Your healthcare professional can interpret these results alongside other factors such as your age, blood pressure, medical history and overall cardiovascular risk.
4. Body Mass Index (BMI)
BMI is a measurement calculated using a person’s weight and height. It is commonly used as a screening tool to place adults into weight categories.
However, BMI is not a complete measure of health. It does not directly measure body fat and cannot distinguish between muscle and fat. It also does not tell you where body fat is distributed.
So while BMI can provide useful information, it is best considered alongside other factors rather than treated as a diagnosis or a complete picture of your health.
5. Waist Circumference
Where body fat is stored can matter as well as how much body fat a person has. Fat stored around the abdomen is associated with an increased risk of several health conditions, including type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease.
Waist circumference is therefore another measurement that can provide useful information about health risk. As with BMI, it should not be interpreted in isolation. Health professionals may consider waist circumference together with other measurements and individual risk factors.
Why These Numbers Matter
The purpose of knowing your health numbers isn’t to become obsessed with measurements. It is about awareness. Some health conditions can develop gradually without causing noticeable symptoms. Regularly checking appropriate health measurements can help identify changes and provide an opportunity to take action.
For example, knowing your blood pressure can help identify hypertension. Understanding your blood glucose can help identify possible problems with blood sugar regulation. Cholesterol measurements can contribute to an assessment of cardiovascular risk.
The important thing is not simply knowing a number, it is understanding what the number means for you. Numbers Are Not Diagnoses
It is easy to see a result online and immediately wonder whether it means something is wrong. But health measurements need context.
Results can be affected by factors such as age, medications, pregnancy, existing health conditions, recent activity and how or when the measurement was taken.
A single unusual reading does not necessarily mean that you have a disease, just as one normal reading does not guarantee that everything is fine.
If you receive a result that concerns you, discuss it with an appropriately qualified healthcare professional rather than relying on self-diagnosis.
What Should You Do With Your Numbers?
You don’t need to measure everything every day, instead:
- Know which health checks are appropriate for you.
- Keep track of relevant results over time.
- Ask what your results mean.
- Follow recommended screening or monitoring schedules.
- Pay attention to significant changes.
- Seek professional advice when a result is concerning or unusual.
Your age, family history, lifestyle and existing health conditions can all influence which measurements you need and how often you should have them checked.
Takeaway
Your health is more than a collection of numbers. But numbers can provide valuable information that you cannot always get from how you feel.
Blood pressure. Blood glucose. Cholesterol. BMI. Waist circumference.
Knowing these measurements and understanding their limitations can help you become more informed about your health and have better conversations with healthcare professionals.
Know your numbers. Understand what they mean. Take action when it matters.
VitaGuardia Wellbeing
Promoting Sustainable Health and Wellbeing
This Resource is for general health education and does not replace professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.