Primary Care Doctor Advises the Five Numbers Every Adult Should Know
An excerpt from Dr. David Schechter’s upcoming book, Ask Your Family Doctor: Practical Guidance for Healthy Living, to be published in 2026.
[Insert a hero image of a person checking blood pressure at home, or a physician reviewing simple health measurements with a patient.]
Many people assume they’re healthy because they feel well.
Unfortunately, some of the most important health conditions—including high blood pressure, elevated cholesterol, heart disease and early diabetes—often produce no symptoms at all.
That’s one reason I encourage patients to know a handful of important health numbers. These measurements provide valuable information about your current health and can help identify problems before they become serious.
1. Blood Pressure
High blood pressure is often called the “silent killer” because it usually causes no symptoms until complications develop.
For most adults, a blood pressure below 120/80 mmHg is considered ideal. Persistent readings above 130/80 deserve discussion with your physician and may require lifestyle changes or medication, depending on your overall cardiovascular risk.
Monitoring your blood pressure periodically—especially after age forty—is one of the simplest ways to protect your long-term health.
2. LDL Cholesterol
Not all cholesterol is the same.
LDL (“bad”) cholesterol contributes to plaque buildup within the arteries, increasing the risk of heart attack and stroke.
Your ideal LDL level depends on your personal risk factors. For some people, lifestyle changes are sufficient. Others benefit from cholesterol-lowering medication. The important point is to know your number and discuss it with your physician rather than assuming everything is fine.
Going deeper, if you’re over 50, would be knowing the results of a coronary calcium scan. This actually looks at your arteries, not just your blood tests.
3. Blood Sugar
Hemoglobin A1c provides an excellent picture of your average blood sugar over the previous two to three months.
Many people discover prediabetes long before they develop symptoms. Early recognition allows time to improve nutrition, increase physical activity, and often prevent progression to diabetes.
4. Waist Circumference
While body weight is useful, waist circumference often provides additional information about health risks.
Excess abdominal fat is associated with higher rates of diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and other chronic conditions.
Even modest weight loss can produce meaningful improvements in blood pressure, blood sugar, and cholesterol.
When a person adds muscle, thighs and chest may get bigger, shoulders more muscular. When a person adds fat, the waist size goes up.
This varies a touch between women and men and is more true of men, but helpful to know for all.
5. Physical Activity
Here’s one “number” that isn’t measured during a blood test.
Aim for approximately 150 minutes of moderate exercise each week, along with strength training two or three times weekly.
Walking, cycling, swimming, tennis, pickleball, gardening, and many other activities all contribute to better health.
The best exercise is the one you’ll continue doing consistently.
Prevention Is About Awareness
Knowing your numbers isn’t about becoming anxious.
It’s about giving yourself the opportunity to act early.
Many chronic illnesses develop gradually over years. By paying attention to these simple measurements—and partnering with your physician—you can often reduce future health risks while feeling your best today.
🩺 Doctor’s Note
Know your numbers before they become your diagnosis. Small changes today are often much easier than major treatments tomorrow.
— David Schechter, M.D.
From the Upcoming Book
This article is adapted from Ask Your Family Doctor: Practical Guidance for Healthy Living, Dr. David Schechter’s forthcoming guide to prevention, healthy living, common medical conditions, and practical healthcare decisions.