Know these terms before you go to your next health care visit
To get the care you deserve at the doctor’s office, it’s crucial to understand the lingo and numbers you hear. Here are some of the most important words to know.
Hypertension, hypoglycemia, and low-density lipoproteins are a few health terms with associated numbers that aren’t always the easiest to grasp, let alone pronounce. Still, when you meet with your doctor for an annual wellness visit, you might hear several unfamiliar terms such as these. Understanding them (and speaking up when you don’t) is a key part of managing conditions you might have, such as diabetes, obesity, or high cholesterol.
The terms in this article tend to come up often in doctor visits. With a bit of knowledge, you can join the conversation with confidence and leave your appointment with the tools you need to succeed.
Diabetes terms
Blood glucose
Glucose is the main type of sugar found in your blood. Your body uses this sugar as its primary energy source. Hypoglycemia is when your blood glucose level is lower than it should be, and hyperglycemia is when it is too high.
There are several types of blood glucose tests your doctor can use. The two main types are a fasting plasma glucose test (fasting means you haven’t had anything to eat or drink, except water, for at least eight hours) and a random plasma glucose test.
A fasting plasma glucose of less than 100 mg/dL is normal, while a reading of 100 mg/dL to 125 mg/dL may be a sign of prediabetes. Anything higher may signal diabetes. What about for a random plasma glucose test? Well, a reading of 200 mg/dL or higher is a factor in a diabetes diagnosis.
Hemoglobin A1c
An A1c blood test measures your average blood glucose level over time, typically over a two- or three-month period. If you have diabetes, your doctor can use your A1c level to see how well your blood sugar management plan is working for you.
A normal reading is less than 5.7%, and a reading of 5.7% to 6.4% is a signal of prediabetes. Diabetes is diagnosed at an A1c of 6.5% or more.
Blood pressure terms
Blood pressure
This reading tells you how much force your blood exerts on the walls inside your blood vessels. It’s expressed in terms of systolic and diastolic pressure (like 120/80). Systolic pressure (the top number) is the pressure when the heart pumps the blood out, and diastolic pressure (the bottom number) is the pressure when the heart rests between beats.
Hypertension (high blood pressure)
When blood pressure is higher than normal, it’s known as hypertension. Here’s what the numbers mean, according to recent American Heart Association guidelines. Your doctor may recommend lifestyle changes or medication to help control your blood pressure.
Normal:
Systolic: Less than 120
Diastolic: Less than 80
Elevated:
Systolic: from 120 to 129
Diastolic: Less than 80
High stage 1:
Systolic: From 130 to 139
Diastolic: From 80 to 89
High stage 2:
Systolic: At least 140
Diastolic: At least 90
Cholesterol terms
Lipids
Lipids are fats in the body, and blood lipids are fats in the blood. A lipid profile is a blood test that measures total cholesterol, triglycerides, low-density lipoproteins (LDL), and high-density lipoproteins (HDL). It’s used to gauge heart disease risk. Cholesterol, a form of lipid, is found in some foods and is produced in the liver. Your body uses it to make hormones and build cell walls.
Triglycerides
Triglycerides are another type of lipid or fat (different than cholesterol) and can raise your risk of heart disease. A healthy range is typically less than 150 mg/dL.
LDL cholesterol
This type of cholesterol is often called “bad” cholesterol. When your body has too much LDL cholesterol, it can build up as plaque in the walls of your blood vessels, raising your risk of heart disease and stroke. For healthy people, an optimal reading is less than 100 mg/dL.
HDL cholesterol
This type of cholesterol is often called “good” cholesterol. It’s a type of fat in the blood that helps the body get rid of extra cholesterol. And so, the higher your reading, the better. Typically, doctors like to see a reading of 60 mg/dL or higher.
Obesity terms
Body mass index (BMI)
Your BMI is a measure of body size calculated by using your body weight and height. A healthy weight ranges between 18.5 and 24.9 BMI. Overweight is defined as having a BMI between 25 and 29.9. A BMI higher than that indicates obesity.
With all of these terms, it’s important to talk to your doctor about what your numbers mean for you and what you can do to be at your healthiest, both physically and mentally.
