Skip to main content

Did you know? There are 4 numbers you can track to better manage your health

These numbers include knowing your body mass index (BMI), blood pressure, cholesterol and glucose numbers. Check your numbers with your primary care provider and compare using the guidelines below.

Need a primary care provider? You can find one at empireplanproviders.com. It’s important to schedule annual preventive care checkups and screenings each year as an important step in taking care of your health. Preventive care visits may help to catch potential conditions early, even before you may have symptoms or feel sick.

BMI1

Blood pressure2

  • Normal: Systolic less than 120 and diastolic less than 80
  • Elevated: Systolic between 120 and 129 and diastolic less than 80
  • Stage 1 hypertension: Systolic between 130 and 139 or diastolic between 80 and 89
  • Stage 2 hypertension: Systolic 140 or higher or diastolic 90 or higher
  • Hypertensive crisis: Systolic higher than 180 and/or diastolic higher than 120

Cholesterol3

  • Total cholesterol: Less than 200 mg/dL
  • HDL cholesterol for men: Higher than 40 mg/dL
  • HDL cholesterol for women: Higher than 50 mg/dL
  • LDL cholesterol: Less than 100mg/dL

Glucose4

  • Optimal fasting level: Less than 100mg/dL

Consider some of the following tips to help improve your key health numbers:5

1. Practice habits that may help keep your heart healthier

  • Exercise regularly
  • Eat a heart-healthy diet
  • Maintain a healthier weight
  • Manage your blood pressure
  • Take charge of cholesterol
  • Keep blood sugar at healthy levels
  • Don’t smoke

2. Limit your intake of certain foods

  • Saturated and trans fats as these may raise your cholesterol
  • Sodium which may increase blood pressure
  • Red meat (and compare food labels to select the leanest cuts available)
  • Sweets and sugar sweetened beverages

3. Consider 30 minutes of moderate physical activity

Finding time for 30 minutes of moderate exercise on most days of the week can provide many of the same benefits as strenuous exercise. Physical activity is anything that gets the body moving, including walking.

Have questions about your health? Call The Empire Plan NurseLine at 1-877-769-7447, option 5. This service is confidential and available at no additional cost as part of your benefits. A registered nurse can help with:

  • Enrollment in condition management programs
  • Medically necessary nutrition counseling
  • Resources for treatment of an eating disorder
  • Help understanding symptoms and treatment options
  • And more

Sources:

  1. BMI Frequently Asked Questions. CDC, last updated October 3, 2024.
  2. Understanding Blood Pressure Readings | American Heart Association. AHA, last reviewed May 30, 2023.
  3. Blood Cholesterol – Diagnosis. NHLBI, last updated on March 24, 2022.
  4. Manage Blood Sugar. CDC, last updated October 3, 2024
  5. Blood Cholesterol – Treatment. NHLBI, last updated March 24, 2022.

Are you using a network provider?

When you use a network provider, it means lower out-of-pocket costs for you, including copays and deductibles. For help finding a network provider, call The Empire Plan NurseLine at 1-877-769-7447, Option 5, TTY 711

Visit myuhc.com