Know Your Numbers

Why Your Numbers Matter

Do you know your weight, BMI, A1C, blood glucose, blood pressure, or cholesterol — and what those actually mean? These are your primary numbers for life. If you don’t know them or aren’t monitoring them, you’re increasing your risk for diabetes, heart attack, and stroke — especially after 40 or with other risk factors. Go into appointments knowing your baseline so you can have a real conversation about getting into healthy ranges.

“Normal” Is Normal — For Everyone

Organs don’t know race or body type. What’s normal is normal. That said, family history and individual risk factors can shape your personal targets — talk with your doctor about yours. If anyone excuses an out-of-range number as “normal for you,” push for clarity and a plan.

Blood Pressure: A core signal of heart health. High BP increases heart attack and stroke risk.
Heart Rate: Lower resting rate generally reflects better cardiovascular fitness.
Cholesterol: Ratios matter — keep LDL low and HDL high; discuss targets with your provider.
Blood Glucose & A1C: Key to detecting and managing diabetes. A1C reflects ~3 months of average blood sugar.
PSA: Track for prostate health, especially after age 50 (earlier if high risk).

“Understanding your health numbers—such as blood pressure, cholesterol, blood sugar, and body mass index (BMI)—is vital for preventing chronic diseases. Regular monitoring can help you and your provider detect changes early and take action to maintain optimal health.” — Cleveland Clinic

Men’s Health Numbers — At a Glance

Metric

Meaning

Healthy Range

Height

Reference only — used to calculate BMI.

N/A

Weight

Interpret with BMI and waist circumference.

Use BMI as guide

BMI (Body Mass Index)

Body mass relative to height; screening tool.

18.5 – 24.9

Blood Pressure*

Force of blood against arteries.

<120 / <80 mmHg

— Systolic (top)

Pressure when the heart beats.

<120

— Diastolic (bottom)

Pressure between beats.

<80

Resting Heart Rate*

Beats per minute at rest; lower often better.

60 – 100 bpm

Cholesterol

Blood fats impacting heart/vessel health.

See breakdown

— Total Cholesterol

Combined LDL + HDL + other lipids.

<200 mg/dL

— LDL (“bad”)

Higher levels raise plaque risk.

<100 mg/dL (optimal)

— HDL (“good”)

Helps remove LDL; higher is better.

≥50 mg/dL

— Triglycerides

Stored fats; high levels raise risk.

<150 mg/dL

Blood Glucose

Immediate blood sugar level.

Fasting 70 – 99 mg/dL

A1C

~3-month blood sugar average.

<5.7% (normal); 5.7–6.4% (prediabetes)

PSA (Prostate-Specific Antigen)

Protein made by the prostate; screening marker.

<4.0 ng/mL (varies with age)

*Talk with your doctor about targets based on your age, fitness, medications, and family history.

You — and only you — are responsible for your health. Track your numbers and bring them to your appointments.