Health Watch is a Public Service of the Office of News and Publications and is intended to provide general information only and should not replace the advice of a medical professional. You should contact your physician if you have questions about any of these topics.
This week on Healthwatch, we're talking about managing your health. Previously, we talked about some health-related numbers you need to know. Doctors at UT Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas say you should keep track of your blood pressure, blood sugar, cholesterol levels and body mass index.
Dr. Shawna Nesbit, a hypertension specialist at UT Southwestern, says knowing these numbers can help you feel empowered. Your blood sugar after an eight-hour fast should be under 100. Normal blood pressure should be below 120-over-eighty, less than 140-over-90 if you have high blood pressure and are on medication, and less than 130-over-80 if you're diabetic. Your LDL cholesterol - the bad cholesterol - should be below 130 or below 100 if you have heart disease. Your HDL cholesterol - the good kind - should be more than 40 for men and more than 50 for women. A normal body mass index is below 25. Over 30 is considered obese.
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November 2005
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