Know your numbers
Keeping your blood pressure, blood sugar and total cholesterol levels in check is key for good heart health. But you can’t manage what you don’t measure, so finding out what your numbers are is the first step. Unhealthy levels of these may not show themselves through symptoms. Your doctor can advise you of the optimal levels for people of your sex and age group, as well as conduct the tests to find your individual results.
In between doctor visits, you can monitor some of these levels through easy-to-use devices like blood pressure monitors that can be purchased for home use. Keeping a record of your results and showing these to your doctor will provide them with information they need to help you stay on top of your risk for heart disease and other health issues.