Try going through your day without using or remembering any numbers. You would be hard pressed not to use numbers at some point to access your e-mail or voice mail, a PIN for your bank card, or an employee identification number or Social Security number to prove your identity.

But when it comes to knowing important health care numbers, many people draw a blank. Numbers for cholesterol, blood pressure, blood sugar and body mass index are key indicators of risk for major illness. By knowing the values, you can take action to reduce your chances of developing heart disease, diabetes and other chronic conditions.Take an active role in understanding some basic steps to control your own health and a leadership role in encouraging employees to do the same.

Cholesterol: Below 200

A sudden heart attack may not be sudden at all, but rather the result of years of living with high cholesterol and extra fats stored by the body. The normal range for total cholesterol is 200 or less.

In addition to your total cholesterol, you also need to know your "healthy" HDL cholesterol and "lousy" LDL cholesterol numbers. High total cholesterol, high LDL or low HDL means you need to take immediate action to prevent a possible heart attack or stroke. There are no clear symptoms of high cholesterol. That's why it's important to see your health care provider and know your cholesterol numbers.

Blood pressure: 120 over 80

Blood pressure measures the amount of force it takes your heart to pump blood through your body. High blood pressure or hypertension increases your risk of heart attack, stroke and kidney disease. High blood pressure damages your brain, eyes and arteries, too.

High blood pressure is often called 'the silent killer' because you may have no symptoms. Anyone can have high blood pressure, but close to 60% of all Americans more than 60 years old have it.

Blood sugar: Between 80 and 120

Glucose is sugar stored in your blood as your body's main source of energy. If your glucose is too high or too low, you may have diabetes. The average blood sugar range is between 80 and 120.

Diabetes can strike anyone of any age. Symptoms involve frequent urination, extreme hunger, thirst, unusual weight loss, increased fatigue or blurry vision.

If someone has been diagnosed with diabetes, he will need to have his hemoglobin A1C number checked. The A1C number, which should be less than 7, tells you how well you're controlling your blood sugar over time. Diabetes and prediabetes are two conditions that are on the rise in the United States and account for large amounts of health care spending. Left untreated, diabetes can lead to heart disease, blindness, limb amputation and kidney disease. Overall, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report that the risk for death among people with diabetes is about twice that of people without diabetes of similar age.

Body mass index: Below 25

Body mass index measures your weight in relation to your height. It does not actually measure body fat percentage, but it is the most widely used tool to identify weight problems.

Body mass index is defined as the individual's body weight divided by the square of his or her height - there are plenty of Web sites to easily calculate this for you. BMI indicates your "fatness" and should be 25 or less. A BMI over 25 means you are overweight; a number over 30 means you are obese. Extra weight can lead to high cholesterol, heart disease, diabetes and other chronic illnesses. If your BMI is over 25, take action to control your weight.

Many employers are wondering where to start to get their employees on the right track to better health. A great place to start is knowing your numbers.