Heart Health Numbers That Matter

Numbers write the story of your heart. The story can be clear skies ahead, keep on sailing. Or, the numbers can indicate that there is a storm in your future. Either way, you have options to navigate the way you want to go. Let’s start with the destination goals.

BLOOD PRESSURE Less than 120/80 mmHg

CHOLESTEROL LDL (bad) less than 100 mg/dL HDL (good) more than 40 mg/dL for men, 50 mg/dL for women Total less than 200 mg/dL

TRIGLYCERIDES Less than 150 mg/dL

BLOOD SUGAR Hemoglobin A1c Less than 6% (non-diabetic) Less than 7% (diabetic) Fasting glucose Less than 100 mg/dL

BODY MASS INDEX (BMI) Less than 25 Kg/m2

WAIST CIRCUMFERENCE Less than 35” for women Less than 40” for men

EXERCISE At least 30 minutes/day, 5 days/week

Sources:
American Heart Association