Know your numbers
Keeping your blood pressure and cholesterol in check can help to reduce your risk for heart disease, stroke, diabetes and other health issues. If you are have having difficulty controlling your numbers, the cardiologists at Midwest Heart and Vascular Specialists can help.
As a part of the HCA Midwest Health Heart and Vascular Institute, we are Kansas City’s first choice for cardiovascular care. From testing and diagnosis to long-term management and treatment of complex conditions, we provide the comprehensive, leading-edge care our patients deserve. And with over 11 locations in the region, we make caring for your heart convenient.
Know your numbers
Keeping these numbers in check can help reduce your risk for heart disease, stroke, diabetes and several other health issues.
Blood pressure
The first number is the systolic pressure and the second number is the diastolic. Alert your doctor if your readings are consistently over 140/90.
- less than 120 and/or less than 80 - normal
- 120-139 and/or 80-89 - prehypertension
- 140-159 and/or 90-99 - high blood pressure (hypertension) stage 1
- 160-169 and/or 100 and over - high blood pressure (hypertension) stage 2
- above 180 and/or above 110 - hypertensive crisis (emergency care needed)
Cholesterol
Total blood cholesterol
- less than 200 mg/dL - desirable
- 200-239 mg/dL - borderline high
- 240 mg/dL and over - high
LDL cholesterol
Your low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL aka "bad" cholesterol) goal depends on your risk for heart disease and stroke. Ask your doctor to determine your risk.
- less than 100 mg/dL - optimal
- 100-129 mg/dL - near or above optimal
- 130-159 mg/dL - borderline high
- 160-189 mg/dL - high
- 190 mg/dL and over - very high
HDL cholesterol
Less than 40 mg/dL for men and 50 mg/dL for women increases the risk for heart disease. An high-density lipoprotein (HDL aka "good" cholesterol) level of 60 mg/dL or more helps protect against heart disease.
Triglycerides
- less than 100 mg/dL - optimal
- less than 150 mg/dL - normal
- 150-199 mg/dL - borderline high
- 200-499 mg/dL - high
- 500 mg/dL and over - very high
