Quiz: How Active Are You?
Are you getting enough of that much-needed exercise into your daily routine? Take our quiz to find out if you're doing your best to keep your heart in shape or if you need to kick it up a notch.
7 Heart Numbers to Watch
Chances are, when you think of heart risk, you do a quick mental review of your cholesterol levels. Those numbers are important, but others are key as well if you want to whittle away your danger.
- Total cholesterol: should be under 200 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dl).
- Low-density lipoprotein (LDL): should be under 100 mg/dl.
- High-density lipoprotein (HDL): should be above 50 mg/dl for women, and above 40 for men.
- Triglycerides: should be under 150 mg/dl. Fasting blood sugar should be under 100 mg/dl.
- Blood pressure: should be no higher than 120/80 mmHg.
- Body mass index (BMI): shouldn't be higher than 25. If your BMI (your weight-to-height ratio) tops that figure, your heart risk increases 32%. Over 29 and it spikes 81%.
- Waist circumference: should be 35 inches or less for women and no more than 40 inches for men.
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