Do you know what your blood pressure is? Have you heard about BMI? Why is it important to know these numbers?
‘Know Your Numbers’ week runs from 7 to 13 September this year. To look after our health, here are some numbers we need to be aware of.
Blood pressure: high blood pressure put a strain on our arteries and organs, which increases our risk of developing serious problems such as heart attacks and strokes. Ideally the blood pressure for an adult should be kept below 120/80mmHg and generally no more than 140/90 mmHg. To learn more, the NHS website has information about blood pressure test and the British Heart Foundation explains the risks of high blood pressure and how to keep your blood pressure under control.
Cholesterol levels: cholesterol is a fatty substance found in our blood. We need it to stay healthy, but too much of it also increases our risk of heart and circulatory diseases. According to the NHS, the healthy level of our total cholesterol should be 5 or below, with various types of cholesterol, good or bad, being kept at different levels. The BHF website also provides detailed information about the causes, symptoms and treatments of high cholesterol and how to lower the cholesterol levels.
Blood sugar levels: high blood sugar levels can make us ill. And regularly having high blood sugar levels for long periods of time can result in permanent damage to parts of our body such as the eyes, nerves, kidneys and blood vessels. You might have heard about a test for the HbA1c level, which is a test for the average blood sugar level, and the fact that the target blood sugar levels differ for everyone. While a normal HbA1c target is below 42mmol/mol for a healthy adult, the HbA1c level for people with diabetes to aim for is below 48 mmol/mol. The NHS website gives more information about high blood sugar. Please visit Diabetes UK website to find out if you’re at risk of type 2 diabetes, how to reduce your risk and how to look after yourself if you have diabetes.
BMI and waist size: body mass index (BMI) is a measure that uses our height and weight to work out if our weight is healthy. For most adults, an ideal BMI is in the 18.5 to 24.9 range. Use the BMI calculator provided by the NHS website to check if you have a healthy weight. You can also use it to check your child’s BMI. Maintaining a healthy weight have great health benefit. The NHS also suggests that regardless of your height or BMI, you should try to lose weight if your waist is:
- 94cm (37in) or more for men
- 80cm (31.5in) or more for women
If you like to find resources and support in keeping a healthy weight, visit NHS One You website. Or join the NHS CPCCG to take on the BMI challenge on www.bmicandoit.co.uk and make healthy changes.
NHS Health Check: would you like to find out your numbers? Ask your GP for advice. If you are aged between 40-74 you may be entitled to a free NHS Health Check. To find out whether you are eligible, talk to your doctor or go to www.nhs.uk/conditions/nhs-health-check/
In Cambridgeshire the free NHS Health Check is also delivered by Everyone Health and they have resumed face-to-face appointments at their community clinics. Visit Be Well Cambridgeshire for information or contact Everyone Health on 0333 005 0093.