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How Heart Healthy Are You?

  • Do you know your blood pressure? High blood pressure can lead to heart disease. It’s best to have it checked every one or two years since you may not show any signs of high blood pressure.
  • Do you know your cholesterol and triglyceride levels? High blood cholesterol can clog your arteries and cause a heart attack. High levels of triglycerides, a form of fat in your blood stream, are linked to heart disease in some people. If your levels are high, talk with your doctor. A better diet and more exercise may lower them, reducing your risk for heart disease.
  • Are you at a healthy weight? Your risk for heart disease increases when you’re overweight. Find out your body mass index (BMI) to be sure your weight is healthy. Eating right and exercising regularly are key to maintaining or achieving a weight that’s good for your heart.
  • Do you smoke? If so, there’s no better time than now to quit. You have many options to help you quit smoking including patches and gum, support groups and programs. Be sure to discuss your options with your doctor.
  • Do you have diabetes? Having diabetes raises your chances of getting heart disease.
  • Do you drink alcohol? If so, keep it to one drink a day. Learn more about alcohol awareness.
  • Are you coping well with stress? Lower your stress level by chatting with friends, going for a walk or writing down your thoughts and feelings in a journal.

Follow these five key steps to help lower your risk for heart disease and heart attacks:

  • Be physically active
  • Don’t smoke
  • Eat healthy
  • Keep a normal weight
  • Know your numbers (blood pressure, cholesterol and triglycerides)

                                                                                       

Making Sense of the Numbers Game
Use this chart as a guide to decoding your test results

 

Optimal Results
in Adult Women

Optimal Results
in Adult Men

 Total cholesterol

 Less than 200 mg/dL

 Less than 200 mg/dL

 Low-Density Lipoproteins 
 (LDL or “bad” cholesterol)

 Less than 100 mg/dL

 Less than 100mg/dL

 High-Density Lipoproteins 
 (HDL or “good” cholesterol)

 50 mg/dL or higher

 40 mg/dL or higher

 Triglycerides

 Less than 150 mg/dL

 Less than 150 mg/dL

 Blood pressure

 Less than 120/80 mmHg

 Less than 120/80 mmHg

mg/dL: milligrams per deciliter of blood  

mmHg: millimeters of mercury  

Members can log in to their Blue Access for MembersSM account to learn more about heart disease risk factors, living with heart disease and symptoms of a heart attack.


Sources: American Heart Association , National Women's Health Information Center , WomanHeart