Managing Cardiovascular Risk Factors
Understanding and controlling your risk factors is essential for preventing heart disease and protecting your heart health.
Know Your Numbers
Regular monitoring of key health metrics helps you and your doctor track your cardiovascular health:
Blood Pressure
<130/80 mmHgHigh BP damages arteries over time
LDL Cholesterol
<70-100 mg/dL**Lower if high risk
HDL Cholesterol
>40 (men), >50 (women)Higher is better
Triglycerides
<150 mg/dLHigh levels increase risk
Fasting Blood Sugar
<100 mg/dL100-125 = prediabetes
A1C (if diabetic)
<7%3-month average blood sugar
BMI
18.5-24.925-29.9 = overweight, ≥30 = obese
Waist Circumference
<40" (men), <35" (women)Belly fat increases risk
Blood Pressure Control
Why It Matters
High blood pressure (hypertension) is called the "silent killer" because it usually has no symptoms but damages your arteries and heart over time. It's one of the biggest risk factors for heart attack, stroke, and heart failure.
How to Lower Blood Pressure
- ✓ Reduce sodium intake (<2,300mg/day)
- ✓ Follow the DASH diet
- ✓ Exercise regularly (150 min/week)
- ✓ Maintain a healthy weight
- ✓ Limit alcohol
- ✓ Don't smoke
- ✓ Manage stress
- ✓ Take medications as prescribed
Cholesterol Management
LDL ("Bad") Cholesterol
Deposits in artery walls, forming plaque
Lower is better
Goal: <100 mg/dL (or <70 if high risk)
HDL ("Good") Cholesterol
Helps remove LDL from arteries
Higher is better
Goal: >40 mg/dL (men), >50 (women)
How to Improve Cholesterol
- • Reduce saturated fat (<7% of calories)
- • Eliminate trans fats completely
- • Eat more fiber (oats, beans, fruits)
- • Choose healthy fats (olive oil, nuts)
- • Exercise regularly
- • Take statins if prescribed
Diabetes & Blood Sugar Control
The Heart-Diabetes Connection
Diabetes significantly increases heart disease risk. High blood sugar damages blood vessels and accelerates atherosclerosis. People with diabetes are 2-4 times more likely to have heart disease.
If You Have Diabetes
- ✓ Keep A1C below 7% (or your personal target)
- ✓ Monitor blood sugar regularly
- ✓ Take diabetes medications as prescribed
- ✓ Control carbohydrate intake
- ✓ Blood pressure and cholesterol control are even more important
- ✓ Don't smoke (especially important with diabetes)
Smoking Cessation
Quitting Smoking is the Single Most Important Thing You Can Do
What Smoking Does
- • Damages blood vessel lining
- • Increases blood pressure
- • Lowers HDL cholesterol
- • Promotes blood clots
- • Reduces oxygen in blood
When You Quit
- • 20 min: Heart rate drops
- • 1 year: Heart disease risk cut in half
- • 5 years: Stroke risk equals non-smoker
- • 15 years: Heart disease risk equals non-smoker
Need help quitting? Talk to us about smoking cessation resources, medications, and support programs.
Weight Management
Excess weight, especially around the waist, increases strain on your heart and raises risk of high blood pressure, diabetes, and high cholesterol.
Benefits of Weight Loss
- • Losing just 5-10% of body weight improves health
- • Lowers blood pressure
- • Improves cholesterol levels
- • Helps control blood sugar
- • Reduces strain on the heart
Healthy Approach
- • Aim for 1-2 pounds per week
- • Combine diet and exercise
- • Focus on sustainable changes
- • Track what you eat
- • Consider a dietitian consult
Stress Management
Chronic stress contributes to high blood pressure and may trigger unhealthy behaviors (overeating, smoking, inactivity). Managing stress is an important part of heart health.
Key Targets
- Blood Pressure<130/80
- LDL Cholesterol<100
- A1C (if diabetic)<7%
- BMI18.5-24.9
- SmokingQUIT
Get Your Numbers Checked
Schedule a consultation to assess your cardiovascular risk and develop a personalized prevention plan.
Schedule Appointment(702) 805-5678