Beyond Blood Pressure: 6 Numbers Your Cardiologist Wants You to Know

You probably know that keeping your blood pressure in a healthy range benefits your heart. But blood pressure is only one piece of the cardiovascular health puzzle.

Chinatown Cardiology provides comprehensive cardiovascular care at locations throughout New York City. We focus on blood pressure and other numbers that can identify risk factors for heart disease, often long before you develop noticeable symptoms.

Our experienced cardiologists offer advanced diagnostic testing and personalized treatment for high cholesterol, coronary artery disease, diabetes, hypertension, and other conditions that can affect your heart and blood vessels.

Know the numbers that shape your heart health

Our goal is to improve your cardiovascular health through lifestyle changes and any necessary medical treatments. Knowing a few key health numbers helps us identify potential risks, monitor changes over time, and determine which steps can best protect your heart.

Beyond blood pressure, here are six numbers worth knowing:

1. LDL cholesterol

Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) is often called bad cholesterol because elevated levels contribute to plaque buildup inside your arteries. Over time, plaque buildup narrows your arteries and restricts blood flow, increasing your risk of heart attack and stroke.

An optimal LDL level is generally below 100 mg/dL, but your cardiologist may recommend a lower target number if you have cardiovascular disease or significant risk factors.

2. HDL cholesterol

High-density lipoprotein (HDL), or good cholesterol, transports cholesterol away from your arteries and back to your liver for removal.

Higher HDL levels are generally associated with lower cardiovascular risk. However, we consider HDL alongside LDL, triglycerides, and other factors rather than relying on this number alone.

3. Triglycerides

Triglycerides are another type of fat circulating in your blood. Your body uses triglycerides for energy, but consistently elevated levels may contribute to cardiovascular disease.

A normal fasting triglyceride level is typically below 150 mg/dL. Diet, physical activity, weight, alcohol consumption, certain medications, and underlying health conditions can all affect this number.

4. Blood sugar

Your blood glucose level can reveal important information about metabolic and cardiovascular health. Persistently elevated blood sugar can damage blood vessels and nerves that control the heart.

A fasting blood glucose below 100 mg/dL is generally considered normal. Levels above that may indicate prediabetes or diabetes and warrant additional testing.

5. A1C

While a blood glucose test provides a snapshot of your blood sugar at a particular moment, an A1C test offers a bigger picture. It estimates your average blood sugar level over the previous 2-3 months.

An A1C below 5.7% is generally considered normal. An A1C of 5.7%-6.4% falls within the prediabetes range, while 6.5% or higher may indicate diabetes when confirmed through appropriate testing.

6. Resting heart rate

Your resting heart rate tells you how many times your heart beats per minute when you're relaxed. For most adults, a normal resting heart rate falls between 60 and 100 beats per minute.

A heart rate that's consistently fast, slow, or irregular may signal an underlying issue, particularly if you also experience palpitations, dizziness, fainting, chest discomfort, or shortness of breath.

Putting the numbers together

No single number tells the whole story of your cardiovascular health. Your age, medical history, family history, medications, lifestyle, and other risk factors influence what your results mean.

That's why knowing your numbers is just the beginning. Regular cardiovascular evaluations with our cardiologists help our team track changes over time and identify concerning patterns. We recommend preventive strategies or treatment when necessary.

Call the Chinatown Cardiology location near you or request an appointment online today if it's been a while since you've had your cardiovascular health evaluated.