Know Your Numbers, Know your Health!

Posted Apr 30, 2026

May is Stroke Awareness Month and the perfect time to refresh your health habits and focus on the numbers that matter most to your overall well-being. Remember, we can only manage what we measure. Monitoring key indicators like blood pressure, blood sugar and lipids is a simple way to detect changes early and support prevention, making May a great time to prioritize your health.  

Your health numbers provide a snapshot of your overall wellness and many of them you can now measure at home. Below are some key metric ranges that the American Heart Association considers a healthy range; your provider may want you at a different level so it is best to make an appointment to discuss your results.  

  • Blood pressure: High levels can increase your risk for heart disease and stroke. Aim for less than 120/80 mm/Hg. Home monitoring options available.  

  • Blood sugar: Elevated blood sugar affects many different organs and identifies risk for prediabetes and diabetes. Your doctor may do a HbgA1c test and would ideally like to see a number below 5.7%. Home monitoring of blood sugar is also available, without a prescription, with OTC glucose monitors in the form of continuous glucose monitors (CGMs) and meters that require finger sticks. 

  • Cholesterol and triglycerides: Impacts heart health and risk for cardiovascular disease. In general, for prevention, AHA recommends total cholesterol under 200 mg/dl and LDL less than 100 mg/dl. People with diabetes or heart disease often have lower goals. HDL cholesterol is targeted at 60 mg/dl or higher for protective benefits. Triglycerides also less than 150 mg/dl or lower; your provider may like to see these much lower depending on your current condition. 

Mother’s Day is also in May. We recommend prioritizing the health of the women who care for everyone else. Women often put their health last, but preventive care is essential. Encourage the women in your life (and yourself!) to: 

  • Stay up to date on annual check ups 

  • Monitor heart health (heart disease is the leading risk for women) 

  • Take time for rest, movement and good nutrition