Your health by the numbers.

Your health by the numbers.

By: Andrew Rogall, MD
Oswego Health Fulton PrimeCare

These days we are bombarded by numbers; phone numbers, passwords, and pin numbers have all become a big part of our lives as technology has advanced. Now that you have decided it is time to take control of your health, you are yet again bombarded by numbers. So how do you know where to look or what to believe?

The truth is it depends. There has been so much written out there that it is hard to know if what you found on a simple google search applies to you. So, let us simplify it for you. Below are some important guidelines you can use as goals to reach for your health. If you can do this, you will be well on your way to feeling and looking your best, while also lowering your risk for serious illnesses like heart disease and stroke.

Blood Pressure:

In the last few years, we have relaxed a little with what our blood pressure goals should be. Now keep in mind these are a rough guideline and there are always exceptions. But in general, if you are meeting these numbers you are in good shape.

-    In patients over 60 years old without diabetes or kidney disease, less than 150/90

-    In patients of any age WITH diabetes OR kidney disease, less than 140/90

-    In patients ages 18-59, less than 140/90

Diabetes:

Your hemoglobin A1c is a number that is the average of what your blood sugar has been over the last three months. This is one of these most important numbers for diabetic patients as this is how we diagnose and monitor how effective your treatment has been.

Goal: 7.0-8.0

In general, we want this number to be between 7.0-8.0. The closer we can get to 7.0 the better, but not if it means we make you feel unwell in the process.

Blood Glucose:

This is the amount of sugar in your blood at a given time. Most of us will not know what our blood glucose is from moment to moment, but this becomes a very important number for patients with diabetes on insulin.

Goal:

Normal 70-100

For diabetics 70-130

Weight (BMI):

This one is a sensitive topic, but it is estimated that 30% of the US population is overweight/obese. That number has more than doubled in the last 30 years. Being overweight puts us at risk for developing diabetes, cancer, heart attack and stroke.

To find our goal we use something called the BMI, or the body mass index. Your BMI is determined by your height and your weight. Now this is not a perfect science, but it gets us close.

Goal: 18.5 - 24.9

Cholesterol:

Your cholesterol is important to decrease your risk of heart disease and stroke. There are different types of cholesterol, but your goals should be as follows

Goal:

LDL (Bad) Cholesterol - Less than 160

HDL (Good) Cholesterol - Greater than 40 but less than 90.

Ultimately there are many other numbers that have important implications for your overall health. However, if you keep these goals in mind and adjust your lifestyle to achieve, you will be well on your way to making lasting improvements to your health.

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About Oswego Health:
The mission of Oswego Health is to provide accessible, quality care and improve the health of residents throughout Oswego County. As a not-for-profit healthcare system that was established in 1881, Oswego Health is proud to continue to be one of Oswego County’s largest employers. More than 1,200 employees work for the Oswego Health system, which includes the 164-bed community Oswego Hospital, a 28-bed psychiatric acute-care facility with multiple outpatient behavioral health service locations, The Manor at Seneca Hill, a 120-bed skilled nursing facility, and Springside at Seneca Hill, a retirement community. Oswego Health also has Health Services Centers located throughout Oswego County.For more information about Oswego Health, please visit our website  www.oswegohealth.org.