| There are several basic indicators that can be used to determine your heart health. Some of these are listed below. If eating a healthy diet and performing regular physical activity is not enough to reduce your risk of heart disease, ask your doctor about medication and take it as prescribed. Even if you take medication, a healthy diet and exercise are important. |
 Total Cholesterol | Less than 200 mg/dL | | LDL (bad) Cholesterol | LDL cholesterol goals vary:
 For people at low risk for heart disease, the goal is less than 160 mg/dL
For people at intermediate risk for heart disease, the goal is less than 130 mg/dL
For people at high risk for heart disease including those who have heart disease or diabetes, the goal is to keep the LDL below 100 mg/dL. For some high-risk people, their goal may be less than 70 mg/dL. | | HDL (good) Cholesterol | 50 mg/dL or higher | | Triglycerides | Less than 150 mg/dL | | Blood Pressure | Less than 120/80 mmHg | | Fasting Glucose | Less than 100 mg/dL | | Body Mass Index (BMI) | Less than 25 Kg/m² | | Waist circumference | Less than 35 inches | | Exercise | At least 30 minutes on most days, if not all days of the week | | Diet | Eat a balanced diet emphasizing a variety of fruits, vegetables, grains, low-fat or non-fat dairy products, fish, legumes and sources of protein low in saturated fat (e.g., poultry, lean meats and plant sources). | | Don’t smoke – if you smoke, stop | | Schedule regular visits with your doctor | | | This information was kindly provided by the American Heart Association, © 2006, All Rights Reserved. |
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