T-Cell

• In normal, healthy individuals, T-cell counts range from 500-1500 cells/ mL.
• Individuals who are HIV-positive and have T-cell counts between 350 and 500 cell/mL will need to be evaluated individually by a physician to determine whether treatments should be started or changed, depending on the total picture of symptoms, viral load and T-cell count.
• People living with HIV who have a T-cell count of less than 350 T-cells/mL should be offered treatment.

T-Cell

• In normal, healthy individuals, T-cell counts range from 500-1500 cells/ mL.
• Individuals who are HIV-positive and have T-cell counts between 350 and 500 cell/mL will need to be evaluated individually by a physician to determine whether treatments should be started or changed, depending on the total picture of symptoms, viral load and T-cell count.
• People living with HIV who have a T-cell count of less than 350 T-cells/mL should be offered treatment.

Viral Load

• HIV-positive individuals are considered "treated to goal" if the virus is "undetectable" or there are less than 50 copies/mL of the HIV virus in the blood. Note: the HIV is not gone, and it can still be passed to others.
• The goal during therapy is to see the viral load decrease to less than 400 copies/mL during the first six months of antiretroviral medications.
• People living with HIV should be offered treatment if a viral load test indicates more than 100,000 copies/mL.

Cholesterol

• A total cholesterol of less than 200 mg/DL is an important part of good health.
• Your cholesterol is at borderline high risk if you are between 200 – 239 mg/DL.
• Your cholesterol is high risk if your total cholesterol is 240 or higher.

For additional breakdowns including desired HDL, LDL, and Triglyceride levels, see our What Your Cholesterol Levels Mean page.

Smoking

• If you have never smoked or if you have been smoke-free for at least the last twelve months, you are living at your best health potential for this category.
• If you have stopped smoking, but you are still in the first 12 months of smoke-free living, your body is still healing itself from the effects of smoke. Continue your smoke-free life to increase your benefits. Congratulations on your efforts.
• If you are still smoking, you are jeopardizing your health and hurting the effectiveness of HIV medications and therapies. Your health will greatly improve if you stop smoking. Visit our stop smoking page and begin your journey to better health today.

Blood Sugar

• For your best health potential, your body should be able to metabolize and regulate your blood sugar. Fasting blood glucose level should be less than 100 mg/dL.
• Some physicians consider numbers between 100-125 mg/dL to be pre-diabetes. Lifestyle changes such as regular physical activity and better food choices can help to reduce blood sugar.
• Fasting glucose levels above 126 mg/dL need to be addressed. Medication can help, and lifestyle changes such as regular physical activity and better food choices can also help to reduce blood sugar.

For more information on reducing your blood sugar, visit our diabetes prevention and treatment page.

Body Mass Index (BMI)

• Less than 25 kg/m is a healthy BMI.
• Body mass index numbers of 25-29.9 should be addressed with a weight loss plan.
• If your body mass index measures at 30 kg/m, you are at risk for increased health problems. Even losing as few as ten pounds can be very beneficial to your health. Find out your BMI. Also, learn more about losing weight.

Blood Pressure

• Your systolic (top number) is less than 120, and your diastolic (bottom number) is less than 80. This range of blood pressure numbers, 119/79 mm/Hg and lower, helps keep your arteries flexible and functioning well.
• If your systolic number is higher than 120 but less than 139 OR your diastolic number is between 80-89, you can improve your health by lowering your blood pressure to the green range goals. Example of a yellow range blood pressure: 128/82 mm/Hg
• If your systolic number is 140 or above or your diastolic blood pressure is 90 or above, your blood pressure is high and you need to reduce it. For example, if your blood pressure is 145/91 mm/Hg , OR 145/79, the top number is too high and you should seek the advice of your healthcare provider to determine your best route for reducing your blood pressure.

To learn more about reducing blood pressure.

Physical Activity

• If you are getting at least 150 minutes of moderate physical activity each week (or at least 75 minutes of vigorous activity) you are providing adequate exercise for cardiovascular wellness.
• If you are somewhat physically active, but do not achieve 150 minutes per week, you will benefit from finding ways to meet this measureable goal.
• Physical inactivity is a significant health risk. Your body and mind will benefit when you decide to find ways to put physical activity into your life.

Learn more about beginning a physical activity routine.

Healthy Nutrition

The most important components of healthy eating for cardiovascular wellness include these essential components:

1. A variety of fruits and vegetables daily
2. Unrefined whole grain foods
3. Fish with omega 3's at least twice per week
4. Lean meats and low-fat or fat free dairy products
5. Reduce unhealthy food choices:
   • aim for less than 300 mg of cholesterol per day,
   • consume no more than 1500 mg of sodium per day and
   • reduce added sugars to no more than the equivalent of one sweetened beverage per day.

• If you are successfully including 4-5 essential nutrition components, you are most likely choosing quality nutrition.
• If you typically include 2-3 of the essential nutrition components, you have room to improve this area of your health.
• If you regularly only hit 0-1 of the nutrition components, your diet is a health risk and you will benefit from improving this area of your health.

Also, visit our nutrition center to create your heart-healthy diet success plan for life!