Knowing your risk factors for HEART DISEASE
Cardiovascular disease is the number one cause of death for both men and women in the United States. Every 33 seconds, one person dies from cardiovascular disease. By knowing your numbers and getting your heart checked regularly, you can manage your risk for heart disease through lifestyle changes and medication.
Experts at the UPMC Heart and Vascular Institute are here to help keep your heart and vascular health on track.
What are risk factors for heart disease?
Risk factors for heart disease include:
• Diabetes
• Family history
• High blood pressure
• High cholesterol
• Lifestyle habits, including physical inactivity, an unhealthy diet, and smoking
• Obesity
What numbers should I know for my heart health? There are five numbers you should know for your heart health:
• Body mass index( BMI). A BMI more than 25 is associated with an increased risk of heart disease, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and diabetes.
• Blood pressure. Normal blood pressure is 120 / 80 mmHg or lower.
• Blood sugar level. A healthy fasting blood sugar level is less than 100 mg / dL.
• High-density lipoprotein( HDL) cholesterol level. HDL cholesterol is“ good cholesterol” that protects your body from heart disease. A heart-healthy HDL cholesterol level is 60 mg / dL and above.
• Total cholesterol level. A heart-healthy total cholesterol level is typically under 200 mg / dL.