6 Numbers Key to Keeping Your Heart Healthy
What if there were a handful of numbers that could help you track your heart health? See how these tests and actions can strengthen your heart and prevent problems down the road.

By Luai Tabaza, MD, FACC, Interventional Cardiologist—Virtua Cardiology
What if there were a handful of numbers that can help you track your heart health? There are!
These numbers are like signs along the road letting you know what’s ahead. Knowing your levels—and where they should be—can help prevent problems later.
Here are six important screening tests and actions you can take to improve your heart health.
Blood pressure. Blood pressure is the force of your blood as it pushes against your arteries, veins and capillaries. Blood pressure readings have two numbers: systolic (the top number), the force of blood pumping out of your heart, and diastolic (the bottom number), the heart resting between beats.
Most adults should have their blood pressure checked at least once per year to ensure it’s lower than 120/80 mmHg. If yours is higher, your health care provider may want to check it more often.
Blood sugar. Starting at age 45, have your blood sugar tested every three years. After an overnight fast, normal blood sugar levels should be 99 mg/dl or lower. Consistently high readings may mean you have type 2 diabetes, which puts you at increased risk for heart disease and stroke.
Cholesterol. Adults age 20 and older should have their cholesterol measured every four to six years. Performed after an eight- or 12-hour fast, this test creates a lipoprotein profile that reveals your levels of LDL, or “bad,” cholesterol; HDL, or “good,” cholesterol; and triglycerides, another type of blood fat.
A healthy adult should aim to keep total cholesterol levels lower than 200 mg/dl, with LDL cholesterol lower than 100 mg/dl. For HDL, a level of 60 mg/dl or higher helps protect your heart. Triglycerides should test below 150.
Body mass index (BMI). BMI, a numerical value of your weight with respect to your height, is often used to measure obesity. A BMI of 18.5 to 24.9 kg/m2 is considered a healthy weight. A BMI of 25 to 29.9 is overweight, while 30 and higher is obese. A modest loss of 5% to 10% of your weight can improve your blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar, and reduce your risk for heart disease, stroke, and diabetes.
Sleep. Studies have found that adults should get about seven hours of sleep each night.
Exercise. Most people should get at least 150 minutes a week (or 30 minutes a day) of moderate-intensity physical activity. Be sure to include muscle-strengthening activities at least two days a week.
Knowing your numbers is key to understanding your physical well-being. Talk to your health care provider about steps you can take to improve your health.
Looking for a cardiologist?
Virtua's team of more than 100 cardiac experts provides comprehensive cardiac care, from medical cardiology to interventional procedures to advanced cardiac surgery. Schedule an appointment online with a Virtua cardiologist.
There's So Much More to Explore
Discover expert insights, inspiring stories, health tips, and more by exploring the content below!

What Should You Do if You Slip, Fall, and Hit Your Head?

How Do You Manage the Side Effects of Weight-Loss Medications?

Which Weight-Loss Option is Best for Me?
Achieving and maintaining a healthy weight is not the same for everyone. Our Complete Weight Management Program offers choices and support to achieve your weight-loss goals.
Inside Look at Blood Vessels Aids PAD Treatment
Denise Davis: Pay Attention to Your Heart Health

Best Foods for Kidney Health

What Causes Food Addiction And What Are The Signs

5 Essential Winter Foot Care Tips When You Have Diabetes

Sweet Music: Trust, Teamwork Save Justin from Heart Attack

Complex Heart Surgery Nets James a Lifelong Friend

Your 10-Point Plan to Avoid Winter Weight Gain

Be Fast and Spot the Signs of Stroke

Surprising Symptoms May Signal Stroke In Women

8 Key Steps to Better Blood Pressure Control

5 Back Stretches for the Work-From-Home Workweek

The HPV Vaccine: A Powerful Shield Against Cervical Cancer

Menopause: New Insights Into the Power of Hormone Replacement Therapy

How to Prevent and Treat Urinary Tract Infections
Signs You Should Get Treated For Vein Problems

One New Heart Valve Saves Two Lives in the Tritten Family
What You Need to Know About Heart Failure

6 Numbers Key to Keeping Your Heart Healthy

4 Easy Ways to Treat and Prevent Runner's Knee

Five Mindfulness Tips That Can Help Heal Your Heart
Working from Home? Take a Quick Break to Stretch Your Wrists

Watchman Heart Device: a Technological Breakthrough for Blood Clot Prevention

Albert's Emergency Cardiac Surgery Is a 'Story of a Lifetime'

How Do I Get Rid of This Back Pain for Good?

Love Your Heart: Essential Care Tips for Every Stage of Life

How Do I Measure My Blood Pressure at Home?

How Do I Improve My Cholesterol Levels?

3 Ways to Reduce Your Stroke Risk

How the Unique Stages of a Womans Heart Affect Her Health

Can Your Gut Health Affect Your Heart?
Advanced Heart Failure Therapies Get Bernadine Back to Full Speed

Put Your Mammogram Appointment on the Top of Your To-Do List

How Sex Keeps You Healthy as You Age

Protect Your Child From HPV and Related Cancers

Why IUDs Might Be The Most Effective Birth Control

5 Things You're Too Embarrassed to Tell Your OBGYN

4 Not-So-Crazy Questions to Ask Your Doctor

What to Know About Cervical Cancer Screenings

Keeping the Beat: Advanced Heart Surgery for Aortic Aneurysm

HeartTalk Magazine

Heart-Healthy Summer Recipe: Hummus and Veggies

4 Delicious Heart-Healthy Recipes Perfect for Summer

Heart Healthy Summer Recipe: Dessert Parfait

Heart-Healthy Summer Recipe: Pear and Walnut Salad

Heart-Healthy Summer Recipe: Terrific Turkey Burgers
Atrial Fibrillation and Stroke: What's the Connection?
Heart Tests Your Doctor May Order
Managing Pregnancy for Mothers With Heart Conditions

Heart Healthy Recipe: Basil Pesto Pasta With Seared Vegetables

Heart Healthy Recipe Chocolate Avocado Chia Pudding
Keep Your Heart Rhythm in Check With Your Smartwatch
Mind Your Meds for Blood Pressure Risks
Magic Pill for Heart Health? Cut 300 Calories a Day
3 Smart Ways to Boost Your Heart Health
3 Best Exercises For Heart Health

Get Your Heart Pumping With These 25 Workout Songs
Your Chest Pain: Heartburn, Heart Attack, or Something Else?
3 Heart Healthy Recipes to Win Valentines Day
How Work and Home Stress Can Affect You
Why Improving Your Health Is Going To The Dogs And Cats
Why Younger Women Need Start NOW To Safeguard Their Hearts From Heart Attacks
Can You Die of a Broken Heart?
Get to the Bottom of Blood Pressure Numbers
Mitral Valve Surgery Opens Doors for Improved Quality of Life
6 Healthy Habits to Start in Your 20s for Better Lifelong Health
Do You Have a Fatty Heart?
Get Pumped! Assist Devices Can Improve Heart Failure Symptoms
A Cardiologists Advice on Heart-saving Emergency Cardiac Care
Virtua Doctor’s Experience Is a Warning for All About COVID-19 and Strokes
You May Feel Fine, but Gregory Says "Don't Skip Your Medical Care"
In Sickness and in Health: Couples Often Share Heart Disease Risk
"Reduce Your Heart Disease Risk With a Plant-based Diet"
Hybrid Robotic Heart Surgery and Valve Replacement Restores Quality of Life
Can Marijuana Hurt Your Heart Health?
6 Tips for Restoring Your Heart Rhythm
Eat Smart for Your Heart
Cardiac Rehab: Strengthening Your Heart After Leaving the Hospital
Your Heart Needs A Good Nights Sleep
Are You at Risk for AAA—the Silent Killer?
The Cardio Oncology Team Protects Your Heart During Cancer Treatment
Get Relief From Painful Varicose Veins This Summer
Exercise Your Way to a Stronger Heart
Fish Oil: A Good Catch or a Scam?
My Heart Seems to Skip a Beat - Should I Be Worried?
Menu Planning? Try These 5 Heart-smart Substitutions

5 Health Risks Tied to Weight

Heart-Healthy Recipe: Maple Orange Salmon With Mango Salsa
Do Not Wait to Get Help When a Stroke or Heart Attack Strikes
4 Reasons Why Heart Patients Should Follow COVID 19 Safety Guidelines
