Understanding Your Health Risk
Assessment (HRA) Results
BLOOD PRESSURE
Elevated blood pressure (hypertension) is the most prevalent cardiovascular disease in the world. Since persons with hypertension
often do not have symptoms, it is a dangerous disease that silently damages the heart and arteries and can cause a heart attack,
heart failure, stroke, and end-stage kidney disease. Lifestyle modifications, such as improving dietary quality, managing weight,
and participating in physical activity, are effective in the prevention and treatment of hypertension.
A systolic blood pressure (top number) of less than 120 and a diastolic (bottom number) of less than 80 is considered
normal.
A systolic blood pressure (top number) of 120 to 139 or a diastolic (bottom number) of 80 to 89 is considered PreHypertension.
A systolic blood pressure (top number) of 140-159 or a diastolic (bottom number) of 90 to 99 is considered Stage 1
Hypertension.
A systolic blood pressure (top number) of greater than or equal to 160 or a diastolic (bottom number) greater than or
equal to 100 is considered Stage 2 Hypertension.
GLUCOSE (Blood Sugar)
Having a continued high blood sugar can cause damage to the body’s arteries resulting in an increased risk of diabetes, heart
disease, stroke, and blindness. If your blood sugar is higher than the normal range, please discuss the results with your healthcare
provider.
A fasting blood sugar of 70-99 is considered normal.
A fasting blood sugar between 100 and 125 means an impaired fasting glucose, a type of pre-diabetes. This increases
the risk for type 2 diabetes.
A fasting blood sugar of 126 or more means an individual may have diabetes. Higher than normal random blood glucose
levels are often a sign of diabetes. In someone with diabetes, it may mean the disease is not well controlled.
HEMOGLOBIN A1c: (HbA1c)
The hemoglobin A1c test, also known as glycated hemoglobin or HbA1c, is a blood test that provides a picture of average blood
sugar control for the past two to three months. An elevated HbA1c determines an individual’s risk for developing diabetes.
According to the American Diabetes Association (ADA), lifestyle, including healthful and appropriate food choices and physical
activity, plays the most important role in both prevention and treatment of pre-diabetes and diabetes.
An HbA1c of 5.6% or less is considered normal.
An HbA1c of 5.7% to 6.4% indicates a high risk of developing diabetes, often referred to as pre-diabetes.
An HbA1c greater than or equal to 6.5% meets the ADA criteria for the diagnosis of diabetes.
If your HbA1C is 5.7% or more, you will be automatically enrolled in the Diabetes Health Plan.
As a requirement of the Diabetes Health Plan, it is necessary for you to complete the appropriate Health Actions as noted
in the Diabetes Health Plan Member Guide. You will receive your Member Guide and additional information within 30
days, or you may find more information online at http://www.nhrmc.org/dhp.
*For questions regarding the Diabetes Health Plan and your enrollment, please contact our Diabetes Health Plan
Administrator at 910.667.5959.
Last updated 10.23.13 – pg. 1
CHOLESTEROL
Cholesterol is a normal product in the blood, but it can become a major risk factor for heart disease if it is too high. Identification
of abnormal serum lipids along with prompt lifestyle changes and medical management will help to lower your risk for
cardiovascular disease.
Total cholesterol of less than 200 mg/dL is recommended.
Total cholesterol between 200 and 239 mg/dL is considered to be borderline high, which places an individual at a
moderate risk for developing coronary heart disease.
Total cholesterol of 240 mg/dL or more is considered high, which places an individual at a high risk for developing
coronary heart disease.
Lifestyle changes, such as adopting a low fat diet and increasing exercise, can have a major influence on reducing cholesterol and
risk for heart disease. If an individual is overweight, a reduction in body weight by 5-10% can have a significant impact on
lowering cholesterol.
There are two different carriers of cholesterol - High Density Lipoprotein (HDL), which can reduce the risk of coronary
heart disease, and Low Density Lipoprotein (LDL), which can increase the risk of coronary heart disease.
HDL
HDL is the carrier of “good” cholesterol and protects you against heart disease by removing excess cholesterol deposited in the
arteries.
A range of 60 mg/dL or more is desirable and places an individual in a low risk category.
A range between 41-59 mg/dL is considered normal.
A range of 40 mg/dL or less places an individual in the high risk category.
LDL
LDL is considered “bad” cholesterol, because it causes cholesterol deposits to form in the arteries. The higher the LDL levels in
the blood, the higher the risk of heart and blood vessel disease.
A range of 100 mg/dL or less is optimal.
A range between 100 to 129 mg/dL is near optimal.
A range between 130 to 159 mg/dL is borderline high.
A range between 160 to 189 mg/dL is high.
A range of 190 mg/dL or more is very high.
Exercise and dietary changes may be needed to maintain a normal body weight. A low fat, high fiber meal plan may increase
HDL cholesterol and lower LDL cholesterol.
TRIGLYCERIDES
Triglycerides refer to the fat, sugar, and alcohol in the blood. High triglycerides impair blood circulation and are an indicator of
abnormal lipid levels. High triglycerides are an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease and can be caused by family
history, poor diet, inactivity or alcohol abuse. There is also an association between high triglycerides, diabetes, and metabolic
syndrome. An individual can lower triglycerides by adopting a low fat, low sugar diet and by avoiding alcohol. Increasing regular
physical activity is essential to lowering triglycerides.
A range of 150 mg/dL or less is normal.
A range of 150 to 199 mg/dL is borderline high.
A range of 200 to 499 mg/dL is high.
A range of 500 mg/dL or more is very high.
Last updated 10.23.13 – pg. 2
SMOKING
Smoking harms nearly every organ in the body and is a main cause of lung cancer and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
(COPD - including chronic bronchitis and emphysema). It also causes coronary heart disease, stroke, and a host of other cancers
and diseases. If you quit smoking, the body begins to repair itself of the harmful effects in as little as 2 hours.
BMI (Body Mass Index)
Body mass index (BMI) provides an estimate of body fat among adults. It is calculated from height and weight. Body mass index
helps determine risk for certain diseases, such as heart disease and Type 2 diabetes. Due to differences in muscular build, sex,
race and age, BMI’s association with disease risk may vary amongst individuals.
Underweight = <18.5
Normal weight = 18.5–24.9
Overweight = 25–29.9
Obesity = BMI of 30 or greater
BODY FAT PERCENTAGE
Body fat percentage is also used to determine individual risk for certain diseases, such as heart disease and Type 2 diabetes.
Normal ranges vary depending on age group.
Age 18-39 -
21-32% for women / 8-19% for men
Age 40-59 -
23-33% for women / 11-21% for men
Age 60 or older -
24-35% for women / 13-24% for men
RECOMMENDATIONS
Please provide a copy of this information to your primary healthcare provider.
If any of your results were not in the normal ranges, make an appt. to see your primary healthcare provider and take
this information to discuss with him/her.
If you are not physically active, talk to your primary healthcare provider about an exercise plan. Being more physically
active reduces the risk of chronic disease and can reverse the signs of abnormal blood pressure, blood glucose, serum
lipids, and triglycerides.
Talk to your primary healthcare provider(s) and/or a Dietitian about how you can improve your blood chemistry by
adopting a healthy eating plan. A weight reduction, if needed, of 5-10% can lead to improvements in blood pressure,
blood glucose, serum lipids, and triglycerides. A Registered Dietitian is available in the Employee Health & Clinic for
specific recommendations on healthy eating.
If you are a smoker or if you use tobacco products, talk to your primary healthcare provider about health risk factors of
smoking and the benefits of smoking cessation therapy. Employee Health & Clinic is also available for smoking cessation
education and smoking cessation therapy.
For any additional questions regarding your Health Risk Assessment results, please contact Employee Health & Clinic at
910.667.7445.
*Sources: American Diabetes Association, National Institutes of Health & National Cholesterol Education Program
Last updated 10.23.13 – pg. 3