Go over your heart checklist with your doctor

Check the questions below that you have discussed with your doctor. During your next visit, be sure to ask any questions you have not checked.

	What is my risk for heart disease?
	What is my blood pressure? What does the reading mean for me, and do I need to do anything about it?
	What are my cholesterol numbers? (These include total cholesterol, LDL, HDL, and triglycerides, a type of fat found in the blood and food.) What do they mean for me, and what do I need to do about them?
	What are my “body mass index” (BMI) and waist measurement? Do they mean that I need to lose weight for my health?
	What is my blood sugar level? Does it mean I’m at risk for diabetes? If so, what do I need to do about it?
	What other screening tests for heart disease do I need?
	What can you do to help me quit smoking?
	How much physical activity do I need to help protect my heart?
	What’s a heart-healthy eating plan for me?
	How can I tell if I may be having a heart attack? If I think I’m having one, what should I do?

Source: National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute