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High blood pressure, known as hypertension, is an indication that the pressure inside your vessels is too strong. Left untreated, it becomes a significant contributing factor to heart attacks and stroke. A normal blood pressure is 120/80. If your blood pressure is consistently higher than 130/80, you want to talk to your primary care provider about what you can do to reduce your blood pressure to a normal level.

Cholesterol is a waxy substance produced by the liver, but it’s also in foods like meat, poultry and dairy products. Too much cholesterol in your vessels can cause blockages that reduce the body’s ability to circulate the blood throughout the body. A normal LDL cholesterol level is below 100. Your primary care provider can order a blood test to obtain your cholesterol level so together, you can both make a plan to address levels above 100.

Everyone’s ‘ideal’ body weight varies by age, gender, height, frame and ethnic background. Your Body Mass Index (or BMI) is used to evaluate your BMI. The ideal BMI is between 18.6 and 24.9. You can calculate your BMI online and follow up with your primary care provider if your score is outside of the ideal BMI.

Knowing the amount of sugar, or glucose, in the blood is critical to knowing your risk of diabetes. The ideal glucose level is under 100 (or under 5.7%). Your primary care provider can order this test with routine blood work. If your levels are above the ideal range, talk with your primary care provider to make a plan together on how to lower your glucose levels.