If you thought that diabetes is just about managing your blood sugar level, then you were wrong. It is equally important to monitor the other health conditions deeply associated with diabetes – such as your cholesterol level, blood pressure level and body mass index.
Research shows that the most effective diabetes navigators monitor these associated health conditions as meticulously as possible to maintain the overall health of the body. To achieve this goal, you must be aware of the “Healthy numbers”.
This article will enlighten you on these “Healthy magic numbers” so that you can keep your numbers close to them with effective diabetes management tactics.
Monitoring numbers for people with diabetes
The critical health-markers in diabetes include the following:
- Blood sugar levels
- Blood pressure
- Blood cholesterol
- BMI (body mass index)
Below are the target numbers associated with the health markers listed above.
Blood sugar levels
- 70 to 130 mg/dl before meals
- Less than 180 mg/dl after meals
The ADA (American Diabetes Association) recommends a blood sugar levels of 70 to 130 mg/dl before eating and less than 180 mg/dl for a maximum of two hours after eating is healthy. You can use blood glucose meters or continuous glucose monitors (CGMs) to track your numbers before and after meals and record the deviance from the targeted number. Practice this on a daily basis and use these numbers to curate a more effective diet plan.
Blood pressure
- Less than 130/80 mm Hg
Diabetes patients are at a higher risk of developing cardiovascular conditions due to compromised blood pressure. The recommended blood pressure level is between 120/80 and 130/80 mm Hg. Maintaining a healthy blood pressure is essential for a good heart health. You can easily stay close to these “Healthy Numbers” by reducing sodium consumption, exercising, and quitting smoking.
Blood cholesterol
- LDL cholesterol levels – less than 100 mg/dl
- HDL cholesterol levels – more than 40 mg/dl (men) and 50 mg/dl (women)
LDL (low-density lipoprotein) is bad cholesterol, while HDL (high-density lipoprotein) is good cholesterol. To get results of both LDL and HDL, a blood test is necessary. Take annual blood tests to track your LDL and HDL levels. You can stay close to these healthy numbers by adjusting your diet and lifestyle.
BMI (body mass index)
- Underweight = less than 18.5
- Normal weight = 18.5 – 24.9
- Overweight = 25 – 29.9
- Obese = 30 or greater
BMI measures the body fat according to a person’s height and weight, and gauges the risks of diseases. This measurement is essential for weight management as it plays a vital role in controlling and stabilizing type 2 diabetes. Doctors review a person’s BMI annually. A healthy BMI should range between 18.5 to 24.9.
However, you can personally check your BMI frequently by using online calculators or by using this formula: weight (lbs.) / [height (in)]2 x 703.
Plan a lifestyle routine with your doctor to stay close to a healthy BMI.
