Heart health after 40: the five numbers worth knowing
Blood pressure, cholesterol, blood sugar, waist size and resting heart rate, explained by our cardiologist.
Most heart disease announces itself years in advance, in numbers you can measure. Here are the five that matter most after 40, what a good result looks like, and what to do if yours is off.
1. Blood pressure
Aim for under 120/80. Anything consistently over 130/80 deserves a conversation. Home monitors are accurate enough to track trends; bring your readings to your visit.
2. Cholesterol
Total cholesterol is less useful than the breakdown. LDL under 100 mg/dL is the target for most people, lower if you have other risk factors.
3. Blood sugar
A fasting glucose under 100 mg/dL or an HbA1c under 5.7% is normal. Pre-diabetes is reversible, which is why we test for it.
4. Waist size
Waist circumference predicts heart risk better than weight alone. Under 94 cm for men and 80 cm for women is the usual guide.
5. Resting heart rate
A resting rate between 50 and 70 is typical for healthy adults. A gradual rise over months can be an early signal worth checking.
If you do not know your numbers, a cardiac screening visit measures all five in one hour.
