Blood glucose (also called blood sugar) is a primary marker for determining diabetes risk. The higher your blood sugar, the higher your risk factors. But blood sugar is not just a marker for diabetes. As blood glucose levels rise, so does the risk for many other life-threatening conditions, most notably heart disease.

The best way to mitigate your risk is to keep your blood sugar levels at a normal range. What is the range for target blood sugar levels, you may wonder? The answer is controversial. The American Diabetes Association (ADA) delineates certain levels as “normal blood sugar levels,” but the ADA’s “normal” may not mean “optimal.”

What’s more, measuring blood glucose isn’t the only (or even the best) way to assess metabolic health. Many other biomarkers are also important. In this article, you’ll learn all about blood glucose: the basics, measurement, management, and what levels are considered healthy.