- Waistline. People who gain weight in the belly area have a higher risk of developing heart problems than people who gain weight in other parts of the body, such as the hips. During the screening, a health professional will measure your waist in inches. A large waistline is considered 35 inches or more for women, and 40 inches or more for men.
- Blood pressure. Blood pressure is a measurement of how forcefully your blood presses against your arteries. If your blood pressure is high, your arteries can become damaged, which can cause heart disease. Blood pressure is measured using a cuff around your upper arm. A reading above 130/85 mmHg is considered unhealthy. Learn more about how high blood pressure affects your health.
- HDL cholesterol. HDL is often called the “good” cholesterol. It helps remove LDL or “bad” cholesterol from your arteries. If your HDL cholesterol is too low, you are at a higher risk of developing health problems. A blood test will measure your cholesterol levels. A low HDL cholesterol level is less than 50 mg/dL for women and less than 40 mg/dL for men. Learn more about how cholesterol affects your health.
- Triglycerides. This is a type of fat found in the blood. People who have a high triglyceride level have a greater risk of developing heart disease. A blood test will measure your triglycerides. A normal level is under 150 mg/dL.
- Fasting blood sugar. If you have high levels of sugar in your blood, you have a greater risk of developing diabetes. A fasting blood test, usually done in the morning before breakfast, will give the most accurate measurement. If your level is over 100 mg/dL, you have high blood sugar.
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