Health Wealth Safe's Glossary

The concentration of glucose (sugar) in the blood. Blood glucose varies over the course of the day depending on when a patient eats, but a level at or exceeding 200 milligrams per deciliter at any time is suggestive of diabetes. See also blood glucose monitor

The force exerted by blood against the walls of arteries as it circulates through the body.

Body mass index. A ratio of height to body weight that can provide indications of an individual’s risk for certain health conditions arising from weighing too much or too little. For adults, a BMI of under 18.5 is underweight, 18.5 to 24.9 is healthy, 25.0 to 29.9 is overweight, and 30.0 and over is obese. In HWS, patients can keep track of their BMI with one of our clinic-assigned weight scales.

Blood pressure monitor. An API device with which patients can take daily readings of their blood pressure. A blood pressure reading will show two numbers. Systolic pressure (the first number) measures the pressure in the arteries when the heart is actively beating. Diastolic pressure is the pressure in the arteries when the heart rests in between beats. A normal blood pressure level is less than 120/80 mmHg.