5 ‘silent’ health numbers everyone should track
New York Post • • health
Key Points:
- Routine physicals typically include metabolic panels, thyroid function tests, cholesterol panels, and complete blood counts, which screen for various health conditions.
- Fasting insulin levels can reveal insulin resistance, a precursor to type 2 diabetes, and early detection allows for lifestyle changes to prevent disease progression.
- Vitamin D deficiency affects about two-thirds of Americans and impacts immune, muscle, skeletal, cardiovascular, and mental health; supplementation is an easy treatment.
- Waist circumference is a better predictor of cardiovascular risk than weight alone, as excess abdominal fat is linked to heart disease, diabetes, and other metabolic conditions.
- Heart rate variability (HRV), measurable by wearable devices, reflects nervous system balance and overall health, with higher HRV indicating better fitness and stress resilience
