When you think about how to prevent heart disease, everyday habits are an important part of the picture. So are the health numbers you may see during routine medical visits.
Blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar can provide valuable information about cardiovascular health. Smoking, nutrition, physical activity and management of existing health conditions also influence risk.
Not every heart disease risk factor can be changed. Your age and family history, for example, are outside your control. But understanding the factors you can address can help you have more productive conversations with your healthcare team.
Heart disease prevention is not about achieving one perfect number or following one universal plan. It is about understanding your individual risk and working with your healthcare providers on appropriate preventive care.
Can Heart Disease Be Prevented?
There is no way to guarantee that a person will never develop heart disease. Some risk factors cannot be modified, including age and family history.
Other factors can often be addressed.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention identifies high blood pressure, high cholesterol and smoking among important heart disease risk factors. Nutrition, physical activity, diabetes and other health factors can also influence cardiovascular risk.
Knowing your risk factors gives you and your healthcare team information you can use when discussing preventive care.
Know Your Blood Pressure
Blood pressure measures the force of blood pushing against the walls of your arteries.
High blood pressure is an important cardiovascular risk factor, and it often does not cause noticeable symptoms. That makes actually measuring your blood pressure important. Feeling well does not necessarily tell you whether your blood pressure is within an appropriate range.
A single reading also does not tell the entire story.
Your healthcare provider can interpret blood pressure readings based on your health history, repeated measurements and other factors. If you monitor your blood pressure at home, ask your provider how to measure it correctly and what readings should prompt you to contact your healthcare team.
Avoid changing blood pressure medication based on an individual reading unless your provider has specifically instructed you to do so.
Know Your Cholesterol Numbers
Cholesterol testing typically provides several pieces of information rather than one number.
Low-density lipoprotein, commonly called LDL cholesterol, is one measurement your healthcare provider may consider when evaluating cardiovascular risk. High-density lipoprotein, or HDL cholesterol, and triglycerides provide additional information.
These values should be interpreted together with other risk factors.
Your healthcare provider may consider your age, blood pressure, medical history, smoking status and other information when evaluating cholesterol results and discussing your cardiovascular health.
That is why a number that deserves attention for one person may have different implications for someone else.
Instead of focusing exclusively on whether a cholesterol result appears “good” or “bad,” ask your provider what your results mean in the context of your overall risk.
Know Your Blood Sugar
Blood sugar is another important part of cardiovascular health.
Diabetes is associated with increased cardiovascular risk, making appropriate screening and management important. Depending on your circumstances, your healthcare provider may use blood glucose testing, A1C testing or other information to evaluate blood sugar.
As with blood pressure and cholesterol, interpretation should be individualized.
If you have diabetes, work with your healthcare team on an appropriate management plan. If you do not know whether blood sugar screening is appropriate for you, ask your provider.
Eat With Heart Health in Mind
A heart-conscious eating pattern does not have to revolve around one “superfood.”
Instead, focus on the overall pattern of what you eat. Fruits, vegetables, whole grains and other fiber-rich foods can contribute important nutrients. Appropriate sources of protein and healthy fats can also be part of a balanced eating pattern.
Sodium and saturated and trans fats are other considerations commonly discussed in heart-healthy nutrition.
Your individual nutritional needs can vary based on medical conditions, medications, food preferences and other factors. A healthcare provider or registered dietitian can help you develop an eating approach that fits your circumstances.
Dietary supplements should not be viewed as replacements for a balanced diet, prescribed medication or appropriate medical care.
Make Physical Activity Part of Your Routine
Regular physical activity can support cardiovascular health as part of an overall healthy lifestyle.
Movement can take many forms. Walking, cycling, swimming and other activities may be options depending on your interests and abilities. The important point is to choose activity that is appropriate for your health and physical condition.
If you have been inactive, have a medical condition or are uncertain what level of exercise is appropriate, talk with your healthcare provider before making major changes.
Building physical activity into everyday life can make movement feel less like an isolated task and more like part of your routine.
Don't Smoke and Get Help Quitting if You Do
Smoking is an important modifiable risk factor for heart disease.
If you do not smoke, continuing to avoid tobacco supports cardiovascular health. If you currently smoke, quitting can be difficult, and needing support is common.
A healthcare professional can discuss evidence-based options and resources that may help you quit. The goal is not judgment. It is finding an approach that fits your circumstances and supports your health.
Take Prescribed Medications as Directed
Lifestyle habits and medications often work alongside each other rather than competing with each other.
If your healthcare provider has prescribed medication for blood pressure, cholesterol, diabetes or another condition related to cardiovascular health, take it according to the directions provided.
Do not stop a medication because your numbers improve or because you have changed your diet or exercise routine without first discussing the decision with your healthcare provider.
Your pharmacist can also be a valuable medication resource. Ask questions if you are uncertain about how to take a medication, potential interactions or information on the medication label.
Keep an updated list of your prescription medications, OTC products, vitamins and dietary supplements so your healthcare team has a complete picture.
Heart Health Numbers Worth Discussing With Your Provider
Knowing which measurements matter can help you prepare for your next healthcare visit.
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Measurement
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What It Helps Assess
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What to Discuss
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Blood pressure
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Pressure within your arteries
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Your readings, trends and individual goals
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LDL cholesterol
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One component of cardiovascular risk assessment
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What your result means within your overall risk
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HDL cholesterol
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Another component of your cholesterol profile
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How it fits with your complete lipid results
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Triglycerides
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Fats measured as part of a lipid profile
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Whether your level needs additional attention
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Blood glucose or A1C
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Blood sugar status when testing is appropriate
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Your results, risk factors and individualized goals
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These measurements are useful because they provide information, not because everyone should pursue an identical number.
Your healthcare provider can help determine which tests are appropriate, how frequently they should be performed and what goals make sense based on your individual health.
Build Your Heart Health Plan Around Habits and Numbers
Learning how to prevent heart disease involves more than adopting a list of healthy habits. It also means knowing the health measurements that help you and your providers understand your cardiovascular risk.
Pay attention to nutrition and movement. Avoid smoking. Take prescribed medications as directed. Know your blood pressure and discuss your cholesterol and blood sugar with your healthcare team when appropriate.
Taken together, these steps can support a more informed approach to cardiovascular health.
Talk with your healthcare team about your individual heart disease risk factors and preventive care.
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