Quick, how many numbers from Pi can you list off without cheating? I’ll be honest: I can only get to 3.14159265 (thank you, Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian). Unless you are in a profession where you are using Pi often, you probably don’t need to know that number in detail. Now, quick, do you know these numbers off the top of your head?
- Your Cholesterol levels (Total, HDL, Triglycerides, Cholesterol Ratio, LDL)
- Your Blood Sugar levels (Glucose, Hemoglobin A1c)
- Your Blood Pressure
- Your Waist Circumference
- Your Body Mass Index
February is recognized as Heart Health Month in the US. Knowing the numbers above and their meanings is important for your health journey. Each number tells a story, and that story is connected to your health and longevity.
Behind the numbers
So, what do each of these numbers mean? Each of these numbers has a meaning behind them that can be good or bad for your health.
- Cholesterol
- Blood Sugar & A1C
- Understanding Blood Pressure readings
- Why track Waist Circumference?
- Body Composition
Know your numbers and take action
Now that you know the importance behind the numbers, it is time for you to get tested and learn your numbers. You can learn your numbers by participating in a free yearly Mini-Health Screening on campus or setting up a yearly preventive physical examination with your primary care physician.
Once you have taken the steps to participate in the tests mentioned above, it is time to put your newfound knowledge into action. The University of Arizona offers many ways for you to take the next step (sometimes literally) toward consciously focusing on your health.
- Join a Move Arizona team and reap the benefits of walking—whether in beautiful Arizona or another part of the country.
- Participate in the Health Impact Program (HIP) and track your activity on the way to earning points…and cash.
- Request a presentation for your group/department on various health topics, from preventive health to stress management.
- Participate in a group fitness class or personal training at Campus Recreation.
You may not regularly need to know how to calculate Pi (?) or know the meaning behind a circle's circumference, sorry Mrs. Walker, for totally abandoning my eighth-grade geometry knowledge. However, you do need to monitor the circumference of your waistline among the other numbers (mentioned above) to live a long and healthy life. Knowing these numbers and taking healthy actions shows your heart how much you love it so it can keep loving you.