You leave the surgery with a sheet of numbers from your blood test, or a blood pressure reading called out during a check-up – and then you sit there wondering what they actually mean. Blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar are three of the most important figures for your heart health. Here is a calm overview of what they tell you, where the thresholds lie in Norway, and when it is worth talking to your GP (fastlege) in Drammen.
A quick note for international residents
In Norway, most preventive care runs through your regular GP – your fastlege – whom you are assigned through the public system. Blood tests, blood pressure checks and follow-up all happen there, and you can view your own results digitally on Helsenorge.no using electronic ID (BankID). One thing that often surprises newcomers: Norway reports blood sugar and cholesterol in mmol/L, not the mg/dL used in the US and some other countries. So the numbers below may look unfamiliar even if you have had these tests before.
Why these three numbers?
Blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar share one thing: they can stay too high for years without you noticing anything at all. At the same time, they are among the strongest – and most changeable – risk factors for cardiovascular disease.
According to the Norwegian Institute of Public Health (FHI), around 412,000 people were in contact with specialist health services for a cardiovascular condition in 2025, roughly a nine percent rise since 2021. FHI estimates that well over half of all cardiovascular disease could be prevented by improving risk factors such as high blood pressure, high LDL cholesterol, smoking, diet, physical activity and weight. Knowing your numbers is the first step – not to worry you, but to know where you stand.
Blood pressure: two numbers, over time
Blood pressure is given as two numbers, for example 128/82. The top figure (systolic) is the pressure when your heart contracts; the bottom (diastolic) is the pressure when it rests between beats. Both are measured in mmHg (millimetres of mercury).
According to Helsenorge, a blood pressure below 120/80 is considered optimal for most healthy adults. The range 130–139 over 85–89 is called "high-normal" and signals slightly raised risk, while you have high blood pressure if the systolic reading is 140 or above, or the diastolic is 90 or above.
An important point: a single reading tells you little. Blood pressure fluctuates through the day and is affected by stress, coffee, activity, and even sitting in the doctor's office. That is why your GP usually measures several times, and sometimes with a 24-hour home monitor, before drawing any conclusion. The thresholds are also lower for home measurement and for certain conditions.
| Category | Value (mmHg) |
|---|---|
| Optimal | below 120/80 |
| High-normal | 130–139 / 85–89 |
| High blood pressure | 140 or above / 90 or above |
Cholesterol: more than one number
Cholesterol is a fat your body needs, but balance is what matters. Your results usually show several values: total cholesterol, LDL, HDL and triglycerides. Put simply, LDL carries cholesterol out into the body and can build up in the arteries, while HDL carries surplus back to the liver. That is why LDL is often called the "harmful" cholesterol and HDL the "good" one.
It is important to understand that there is no single "normal number" that fits everyone. Which LDL level is acceptable for you depends on your overall risk – age, blood pressure, smoking, heredity and any other conditions. Even so, the Norwegian Directorate of Health's guidelines note some reference points: a total cholesterol of 7 mmol/L or higher, or an LDL above 5 mmol/L, should usually be looked at more closely regardless of how healthy you are otherwise. For people at high risk – for example after a heart attack, or with diabetes – the target is set lower.
For HDL and triglycerides, the rule of thumb is that HDL should ideally sit above around 1.1–1.3 mmol/L, and triglycerides below 2 mmol/L. But again: the numbers are always read together, not in isolation.
Your GP often uses a risk calculator that weighs several factors together – not cholesterol alone. That is why two people with the same LDL value can receive different advice.
Blood sugar: HbA1c and fasting value
Blood sugar can be measured in two ways worth knowing. HbA1c is often called long-term blood sugar and reflects the average over the past two to three months – you do not need to fast for it. Fasting blood sugar is measured after at least eight hours without food.
According to Norwegian sources, HbA1c in a healthy adult lies between 20 and 42 mmol/mol (equivalent to 4–6 percent). A diagnosis of diabetes is made when HbA1c is 48 mmol/mol (6.5 percent) or higher, measured in two tests a few weeks apart. For fasting blood sugar, 6.0–6.9 mmol/L is regarded as a borderline range, while a value of 7.0 mmol/L or more in two measurements meets the criteria for diabetes.
The zone between normal and diabetes – often called a pre-stage – is exactly where prevention has the greatest effect. Small adjustments to diet, activity and weight can in many cases move the numbers in the right direction. This is a conversation worth having with your GP early.
| Measure | Healthy | Diabetes criterion |
|---|---|---|
| HbA1c (long-term blood sugar) | 20–42 mmol/mol (4–6%) | 48 mmol/mol (6.5%) or above |
| Fasting blood sugar | below 6.0 mmol/L | 7.0 mmol/L or above |
What should you do with your numbers?
The most important advice is also the simplest: you do not have to interpret the numbers alone. The reference values above are useful markers, but they do not replace an overall assessment. It is the sum of the numbers, together with your age, family history and lifestyle, that decides what is right for you.
Some concrete steps you can take:
- Log in to Helsenorge.no to see your own test results and records.
- Write down your questions before the appointment so you remember them at the surgery.
- Mention your family history – cardiovascular disease in close relatives is relevant information.
- Remember that lifestyle factors – diet, physical activity, sleep and stopping smoking – affect all three numbers.
A natural occasion to go through all of this is the regular annual health check with your GP, where blood pressure, blood tests and lifestyle are usually considered together.
This article offers general information and is not a substitute for individual medical assessment. If you are unsure about your numbers, or you are experiencing symptoms, contact your GP. For acute, serious symptoms such as chest pain or difficulty breathing, call 113. Outside your GP's opening hours, reach the out-of-hours clinic (legevakt) on 116 117.
Need a GP in Drammen?
Hotvet legesenter at Rosenkrantzgata 75, in the centre of Drammen, has open spots on its lists. That means a regular doctor who follows your numbers over time.
See available GP spots