Health-Wellness
By Carson King, AG-ACNP Board Certified Internal Medicine, Livingston HealthCare
Heart disease is the leading cause of death in Montana, responsible for roughly 23% of all deaths in the state in 2022, according to CDC data. Nationally, heart disease continues to outrank all other causes of death, claiming hundreds of thousands of American lives each year. With the American Heart Association suggesting that around 80% of heart disease is preventable through healthy lifestyle choices, knowing your heart health numbers is a great way to capture a snapshot of your health to better understand the steps you can take to protect your heart in the future.
Your cardiovascular health is closely tied to the measurable indicators of blood pressure, cholesterol, and other lab values that help paint a picture of your risk for heart disease. Getting these numbers checked regularly gives you and your healthcare provider the tools to take action early. February is Heart Health Month, and it’s the perfect time to take stock of your well being.
Blood Pressure
Blood pressure remains one of the most important predictors of heart disease. Nationally, nearly half of adults have high blood pressure.
- Systolic pressure (the top or first number) measures the force of blood against your artery walls when your heart beats.
- Diastolic pressure (the bottom or second number) measures that same pressure when your heart rests between beats.
Higher than normal readings indicate your heart is working harder than it should, straining blood vessels and increasing risk for heart attack and stroke. While specific treatment thresholds vary, the American Heart Association considers normal blood pressure to be below 120/80 mmHg.
Cholesterol & Lipid Panels
A standard lipid panel measures four key components:
- Total Cholesterol: Also referred to as Non-HDL Cholesterol, is the total cholesterol minus the “bad” cholesterol particles (LDL, VLDL, IDL).
- LDL ("Bad") Cholesterol—responsible for plaque buildup in arteries.
- HDL ("Good") Cholesterol—helps remove LDL from the bloodstream.
- Triglycerides—another fat linked to arterial hardening.
These values provide important clues about your risk of heart attack. The American Heart Association notes that high LDL leads to fatty buildups in arteries, and typically does not show symptoms, while high triglycerides compound the risk. Your provider may also check non HDL cholesterol, now recognized as a better predictor for cardiovascular risk.
Family History
Family history is a crucial part of cardiovascular risk assessment. Providers routinely ask about relatives with heart attack, stroke, high cholesterol, or early heart disease because genetics can significantly affect your risk. The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute notes that assessing family history is a standard part of cholesterol and heart disease evaluation.
Heart disease doesn’t always announce itself with dramatic symptoms. Often, it develops quietly over years. Knowing your numbers allows you to take action early—long before a crisis occurs. Heart Health Month is the perfect time to check in with your health. Your heart works for you every second of every day; knowing your numbers is one of the simplest, most powerful ways to return the favor.