Section Title

What’s Your Risk?

Our health is affected by many things, including our family history, our environment and the choices we make every day.

Even though you cannot change your genetic makeup, knowing your family history can help you reduce your risk of developing health problems.

You can also reduce your health risks by changing unhealthy behaviors, such as smoking, physical inactivity, and poor eating habits, and you can get regular screening tests.

Here are some suggestions for reducing your risk for disease:

  • Breathe Well. If you smoke or use tobacco, stop. If you have never smoked or used tobacco, don’t start.
  • Eat Well. Choose healthy foods like fruits, vegetables and grains. Limit foods high in saturated and trans fats, cholesterol, added sugars and sodium (salt). And, limit your alcohol consumption following the guidelines of up to one drink per day for women and up to two drinks per day for men.
  • Move Well. Be sure to get regular physical activity to promote good physical and emotional health, as well as a healthy body weight. Adults should aim for at least 30 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity on most days of the week.
  • Feel Well. Take care of your physical health and your emotional health. Find healthy ways to deal with stress, get regular check-ups and know where to go if you need help with physical or emotional health needs.

Numbers to Know

  • Blood Sugar  (Glucose):  70-100mg/dL
     
  • Blood Pressure:  120/80 or less
     
  • Total Blood Cholesterol:   Less than 200 mg/dL
         LDL (bad) cholesterol below 100 mg/dL
         HDL (good) cholesterol above 40 mg/dL for men and above 50 mg/dL for women
         Triglycerides below 100 mg/dL

     
  • Body Weight: Body Mass Index (BMI) of 18.6-24.0
     
  • Waistline smaller than 35 inches for women and 40 inches for men

Other Tips

  • Reduce risk for skin cancer by using sunscreen
  • Keep up with medical, dental and vision checkups
  • Wear a seat belt every time you are in a car
  • Update smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors regularly
  • Get a flu shot annually and other vaccinations as directed by a physician