Calculating Your Heart
Health by the Numbers

In recent years, fewer American women have died from heart disease. Still, it remains women’s number one killer. You can help keep your own heart health in check by knowing these numbers:

Blood pressure. Your blood pressure should stay below 120/80. A systolic—or top number—from 120 to 139, or a diastolic—or bottom number—from 80 to 89, signals borderline high blood pressure, or prehypertension. You have hypertension if your top number reaches 140 or your bottom number equals 90.

BMI. Your BMI, or body mass index, compares your weight to your height. A BMI between 18.5 and 24.9 means your weight is normal. You’re overweight if your BMI is between 25 and 29.9, and obese if it tops 30. Being overweight or obese increases your risk for heart disease.

Waist size. In addition to weight, the amount of fat you carry around your belly also can endanger your heart. So, keep your waist size below 35 inches.

Cholesterol. Your LDL, or bad cholesterol, count should be less than 100 milligrams (mg) per deciliter (dL), while your HDL, or good cholesterol, should exceed 50 mg/dL.

Glucose. High blood sugar levels suggest diabetes, another heart risk. Diabetes testing is recommended for all women at age 45, especially if they are overweight. Other risk factors, such as a family history of diabetes, may prompt earlier testing.

On a random blood test, glucose levels should be less than 200 mg/dL. If you fast for eight hours before a test, they should be less than 99.