Before Flu Season and Holiday Stress, Know Your Numbers
Cartersville (Aug. 31, 2026) – As families prepare to settle into busy fall routines, many adults put off routine healthcare visits. But one of the simplest steps people can take to improve their health is knowing your numbers.Many common conditions, including high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, and heart disease, can develop silently without noticeable symptoms. Knowing your numbers is one of the most powerful—and actionable—foundations of preventive care and chronic condition management.
"It is one of the simplest ways to take control of your health," said Kyle Taylor, M.D., Piedmont Primary Care at Cartersville. "When you understand where you stand, you and your healthcare provider can work together to reduce your risk for serious health problems down the road."
Numbers you should know
• Blood pressure – Key indicator of heart health and stroke risk.
Aim for blood pressure below 140/90, with systolic (top number) under 140 and diastolic (bottom number) under 90.
• Cholesterol (LDL, HDL, Total) – Helps assess risk for heart disease.
Aim for an LDL (bad) cholesterol of less than 130.
• Blood sugar (Glucose/A1C) – Essential for detecting and managing diabetes.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says blood sugar should be 80 to 130 mg/dL before meals. It should stay below 180 mg/dL two hours after meals.
• Body mass index (BMI) or weight trends – Signals risk for multiple chronic conditions.
Calculate your BMI using the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Calculator. The CDC considers a BMI of 18.5 to 24.9 healthy, 25 to 29.9 overweight, and 30 or higher obese.
Targets may vary depending on your individual risk and health history, so your primary care provider can help set goals specific to you.
Why knowing your numbers matter
Knowing your numbers enables early detection and preventive action. It supports chronic care, accountability, measurable progress, risk reduction, and stronger provider partnerships.
These numbers can reveal health concerns before symptoms appear. Early awareness allows lifestyle changes or medication when most effective. Dr. Taylor suggests the following heart-healthy lifestyle changes:
- Avoid tobacco products. Do not smoke. Eat a healthy diet with lean proteins, plenty of fruits and vegetables, and healthy fats.
- Stay physically active.
- Manage stress.
- Get seven to nine hours of sleep every day.
Regular checkups provide the information needed to manage blood pressure, improve cholesterol, and help prevent diabetes. A primary care provider can help you understand your numbers and track changes over time.
To find a primary care provider near you, visit piedmont.org.
About Piedmont
Piedmont is empowering Georgians by changing health care. We continue to fuel Georgia’s growth through safe, cost-effective, high-quality care close to home through an integrated health care system that provides a hassle-free, unified experience. We are a private, not-for-profit organization that for centuries has sought to make a positive difference in every life we touch in the communities we serve. Across our 2,000 physical locations we care for more than 4.5 million patients and serve communities that comprise 85 percent of Georgia’s population. This includes 27 hospitals, 115 immediate care locations, 1,875 Piedmont Clinic physician practices and more than 3,900 Piedmont Clinic members. Our patients conveniently engage with Piedmont online, as they scheduled more than 657,000 online appointments and over 239,000 virtual visits. With nearly 50,000 care givers we are the largest Georgia-based private employer of Georgians, who all came for the job, but stayed for the people. In 2024 and 2023, Piedmont has earned recognition from Newsweek as one of America’s Greatest Workplaces for Diversity and also as one of America's Greatest Workplaces for Women. In 2022, Forbes ranked Piedmont on its list of the Best Large Employers in the United States. Piedmont provided more than $844 million in community impact in Fiscal Year 2025.
For more information, or to book your next appointment, visit piedmont.org.
