Cardiovascular Health

An important aspect of lowering risk of cardiovascular disease, also called coronary artery disease (CAD), is managing health behaviors and risk factors, such as diet quality, physical activity, smoking, body mass index (BMI), blood pressure, total cholesterol or blood glucose. Your healthcare provider may conduct or request screening tests during regular visits.

 

Education and screening tests are essential to prevention. Here are the key screening tests for monitoring cardiovascular health:

 

Blood pressure is one of the most important screenings because high blood pressure usually has no symptoms so it can’t be detected without being measured. High blood pressure greatly increases your risk of heart disease and stroke. If your blood pressure is below 120/80 mm Hg, be sure to get it checked at least once every two years, starting at age 20. If your blood pressure is higher, your doctor may want to check it more often. High blood pressure can be controlled through lifestyle changes and/or medication.

 

You might have a fasting lipoprotein profile taken every four to six years, starting at age 20. This is a blood test that measures total cholesterol, LDL (bad) cholesterol and HDL (good) cholesterol. (Learn more about cholesterol levels.) You may need to be tested more frequently if your healthcare provider determines that you’re at an increased risk for heart disease or stroke. Like high blood pressure, often cholesterol can be controlled through lifestyle changes and/or medication.

 

Your healthcare provider may ask for your waist circumference or use your body weight to calculate your body mass index (BMI) during your routine visit. These measurements may tell you and your physician whether you’re at a healthy body weight and composition. Being obese puts you at higher risk for health problems such as heart disease, stroke, atrial fibrillation, congestive heart failure, and more.

 

High blood glucose levels put you at greater risk of developing insulin resistance, prediabetes and type 2 diabetes. Untreated diabetes can lead to many serious medical problems including heart disease and stroke. If you’re overweight AND you have at least one additional cardiovascular risk factor, your healthcare provider may recommend a blood glucose test. Your healthcare provider may also measure glycated hemoglobin A1c levels (A1c %) to estimate risk of prediabetes or diabetes. The American Diabetes Association recommends regular screening for diabetes risk at age 45, with repeated tests at least every 3 years.

 

If you smoke, talk to your healthcare provider at your next healthcare visit about approaches to help quit. Also discuss your diet and physical activity habits. If there’s room for improvement in your diet and daily physical activity levels, ask your healthcare provider to provide helpful suggestions.