Did you collect baseball cards as a kid? If so, you probably knew all your favorite players’ statistics, like home runs and RBIs. You may not be a professional baseball player, but you have your own stats you should keep track of.
Blood Pressure
High blood pressure raises your risk for heart disease and stroke. The only way to know you have it is to measure your blood pressure.
To determine if your blood pressure is normal, your doctor looks at your systolic and diastolic pressures. The gauge measures blood pressure in millimeters of mercury, or mmHg. The normal range is:
- A systolic reading less than 120 mmHg.
- A diastolic reading less than 80 mmHg.
If you have high blood pressure, your doctor may prescribe medication and lifestyle changes that include:
- Eating a healthy diet. Eat a healthy diet that is low in salt, fat and cholesterol.
- Getting exercise. Take a brisk, 10-minute walk three times a day, five days a week.
- Quitting tobacco. If you use tobacco, quit as soon as possible.
Diabetes
There are several tests to check for prediabetes, Type 1 diabetes or Type 2 diabetes. If you’re diagnosed with the disease, a diabetes educator can help you:
- Develop a healthy eating plan.
- Learn to test your blood sugar and record the results.
- Recognize the signs of high or low blood sugar and what to do about it.
- Monitor your feet, skin and eyes.
- Manage stress and deal with diabetes care.
BMI
Body mass index, or BMI, determines if a person is at a healthy weight. BMI does not measure body fat directly, but research shows BMI is moderately linked to more direct measures of body fat.
A high BMI can indicate a high level of body fat, but it does not diagnose body fat or health. Even if two people have the same BMI, their levels of body fat may differ. Athletes may have a high BMI because they are muscular, not because they have large amounts of fat.
Colorectal Cancer
Colorectal cancer is the third-most-common cancer in men. It’s the second deadliest cancer in the U.S. Screenings can find precancerous polyps so they can be removed before they become cancer. If you are 45 years or older, get screened now. Ask your doctor which test is right for you and how often to get tested.
Lower Back Pain
If you suffer from lower back pain, your doctor may prescribe over-the-counter or prescription medication. Physical therapy is another treatment option. A physical therapist can use heat, ultrasound, electrical stimulation and muscle-release techniques to reduce pain.
Know your stats. Your doctor can help you assess your health status and risks.