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Clinical Test Results
Blood Pressure
Your blood pressure, the force of which your blood flows through your arteries, is an important factor of your heart health. From your results, the top number represents your blood pressure when the heart contracts (systolic), while the bottom number represents your blood pressure when your heart is at rest between beats (diastolic). The following numbers will help you determine if you have a healthy blood pressure.
| Blood Pressure Classification |
Systolic Reading | Diastolic Reading |
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Normal |
Less than 120 | and | Less than 80 |
| Elevated |
120 - 129 | and | less than 80 |
| High Blood Pressure (Hypertension) Stage 1 | 130 - 139 | or | 80 - 89 |
| High Blood Pressure (Hypertension) Stage 2 | 140 or higher | or | 90 or higher |
| Hypertensive Crisis (consult your doctor immediately) | Higher than 180 | and/or | Higher than 120 |
Reduce Blood Pressure
To reduce your blood pressure, reduce your diet's sodium intake and avoid saturated and trans fat. Instead of fats, eat a well-rounded diet of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean meats. Exercise also helps to treat and prevent high blood pressure. Other factors that may be contributing to high blood pressure include high levels of stress and anxiety, alcohol, and tobacco. View more information on high blood pressure.
What is Cholesterol?
Check out the video below by the American Heart Association to learn more about what cholesterol actually is.According to American Heart Association, your test results will show cholesterol levels in milligrams per deciliter of blood (mg/dL). Your total cholesterol and HDL (good) cholesterol are among numerous factors your doctor can use to predict your lifetime or 10-year risk for a heart attack or stroke. Your doctor will also take other risk factors into account, such as age, family history, smoking and high blood pressure.
HDL Cholesterol Levels
| Cholesterol Classification |
Cholesterol Level | |
|---|---|---|
| High Risk |
Less than 40 | |
| Lower Risk |
40-59 | |
| Optimal (protective) | 60 and above | |
LDL Cholesterol Levels
| LDL Classification |
Cholesterol Level |
|---|---|
| Optimal |
< 100 mg / dL |
| Near / Above Optimal |
100 - 129 mg / dL |
| Borderline High |
130 - 159 mg / dL |
| High |
160 - 189 mg / dL |
| Very High |
> 190 mg / dL |
Total Cholesterol Levels
| Total Cholesterol Classification |
Cholesterol Levels |
|---|---|
| Desirable |
< 200 mg / dL |
| Borderline High |
200 - 239 mg / dL |
| High |
240 mg / dL and above |
Factors that negatively effect your cholesterol levels include inactivity, poor diet, and stress. Learn more about cholesterol.
Triglycerides
Triglycerides are the "bad fats" from foods and are harmful to the body. A high level of triglycerides, in combination with high LDL cholesterol, substantially increases the risk of heart disease. The range of triglycerides, as described by the American Heart Association, is detailed below.
Triglyceride Levels
| Triglyceride Classification |
Triglyceride Level |
|---|---|
| Optimal |
< 100 mg / dL |
| Normal |
< 150 mg / dL |
| Borderline High |
150 - 199 mg / dL |
| High |
200 - 499 mg / dL |
| Very High |
> 500 mg / dL |
You can control your triglyceride levels by maintaining a healthy weight (losing 5% to 10% of your body weight can greatly improve triglyceride levels), avoiding trans and saturated fats, and avoiding alcohol and tobacco. View more information about triglycerides.
For more information on total cholesterol, HDL, LDL, and triglycerides, visit American Heart Association.
Blood Glucose
Chronically high levels of blood glucose put you at risk for developing type II diabetes, which is when the body develops insulin resistance. The ranges for your fasting blood glucose levels are below.
Blood Glucose Levels
| Blood Glucose Classification |
Blood Pressure Level |
|---|---|
| Normal | 70 - 100 mg / dL |
| Prediabetes |
100 - 125 mg / dL |
| Diabetes |
126 mg / dL or above |
Following normal dietary and exercise guidelines can help to maintain healthy blood glucose ranges. To decrease unhealthy blood glucose levels, the American Diabetes Association recommends exercising more frequently and cutting down your meal portions. However, you should consult your doctor if you think you may be at risk for diabetes.
Find more information on diabetes and blood glucose and take a short Type II Diabetes Risk Test.
Importance of Exercise
A significant factor in maintaining a healthy weight is exercise. Many health risks can be greatly reduced just by following exercise recommendations. Current recommendations say that adults should get the following levels of exercise:
- 2.5 hours / week (moderate intensity)
- 75 minutes / week (vigorous intensity)
Body Mass Index
Body Mass Index, or BMI, is a test used to assess your body composition based on height and weight. The following categories are used when assessing BMI. Learn more about Body Mass Index (BMI) from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
BMI Scale
| Body Composition |
BMI Number |
|---|---|
| Underweight |
< 18.5 |
| Normal |
18.5 - 24.9 |
| Overweight |
25 - 29.9 |
| Obese |
> 30 |
Waist Circumference
Your waist circumference is another risk factor considered when assessing weight. You may be at a heightened risk for conditions related to obesity if you have a waist circumference of or greater than 40 inches for men and 35 inches for women.
Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Body Fat Percentage
Body fat percentage is another way to assess your body composition in addition to your height and weight. Below are the categories used to determine your health based on body fat. View more information about body fat percentages at Ace Fitness.
Body Fat Percentages
| Body Composition Classification |
Women Body Fat % |
Men Body Fat % |
|---|---|---|
| Athletes |
14% - 20% |
6% - 13% |
| Fitness |
21% - 24% |
14% - 17% |
| Average |
25% - 31% |
18% - 24% |
| Obese |
> 32% |
> 25% |