The health terms worth knowing before your next checkup

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.  

Add in newer questions — like the two your doctor may now ask about your mood — and a checkup can start to feel like its own language.  

Understanding these terms (and speaking up when you don't) is a key part of managing conditions you might have, such as diabetes, obesity, high cholesterol, or depression.

The terms in this article tend to come up often in routine health care appointments, like your annual wellness visit or yearly physical. 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 provider 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 provider 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 percent, and a reading of 5.7 to 6.4 percent is a signal of prediabetes. Diabetes is diagnosed at an A1c of 6.5 percent 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 provider 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, providers 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 provider about what your numbers mean for you and what you can do to be at your healthiest, both physically and mentally.  

Mental health terms

Why your doctor may ask about your mood

Mental health is now treated as a standard part of your overall health, right alongside blood pressure and cholesterol. That's because depression is common, it's often missed, and it responds well to treatment when caught early. National health guidelines now recommend that all adults be screened for it during routine care. That's why many doctors build a quick mood check into your yearly visit, along with your other numbers.

Depression screening (PHQ-2)

This is usually done with two quick questions, known as the PHQ-2. Your doctor may ask how often, over the past two weeks, you've:

• Had little interest or pleasure in doing things
• Felt down, depressed, or hopeless

You'll answer using a scale from "not at all" to "nearly every day." Your answers are scored from 0 to 6. A score of 3 or higher is considered a positive screen.

What happens next

A positive screen doesn't mean you have depression. It means your doctor will likely want to talk more. That conversation may include a longer, nine-question survey (the PHQ-9). It helps your doctor understand how you're feeling and what kind of support could help — lifestyle changes, counseling, medication, or a referral to a specialist.

Just like your blood pressure or glucose numbers, this is one more way your care team keeps a full picture of your health. Speaking honestly with your doctor about how you're feeling is just as important as sharing your other symptoms.