February 2025
Many people don’t realize it, but cardiovascular disease (CVD) takes more lives each year in the U.S. than any other cause. In 2021, more than 931,000 people died from CVD, according to the American Heart Association (AHA).
Heart disease and stroke, two of the most common types of CVD, caused nearly 260,000 more deaths than cancer, the second leading cause of death, finds the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Despite these statistics, you can take proactive measures to prevent heart disease. Through heart health screenings, doctors can find whether you have risk factors for heart disease, stroke, or other CVD problems before damage or symptoms begin.
Primary care providers include heart health screenings as part of your annual preventive care visit, so it’s important not to skip these visits.
Heart health screenings you need
To protect your heart health, these are the heart health screenings you need and when you need them. These AHA guidelines are for adults at normal risk for CVD. If you have things that increase your risk, such as diabetes, your doctor may recommend these more often or may add other tests.
Blood pressure reading
When: At least once a year if your blood pressure is greater than 120/80 mm Hg.
Why: High blood pressure, also called hypertension, often doesn’t cause any symptoms, but it can still do plenty of damage to your heart and blood vessels. The only way to know if you have high blood pressure is to have it checked.
Uncontrolled high blood pressure increases your risk of heart disease, stroke, heart attack, heart failure, and atherosclerosis (plaque buildup in your arteries). It can also increase your risk of kidney disease or failure, vision loss, and sexual dysfunction.
Body weight and body mass index (BMI)
When: Once a year for all adults.
Why: Doctors will use your weight to calculate your BMI. Your BMI measures your weight relative to your height.
Doctors use BMI to determine whether you have too much or too little body fat. A normal BMI is 18.5 to 24 kg/m². If your BMI is outside the normal range, it could lead to health problems.
A BMI of 30 kg/m² or higher is considered obese. Obesity increases your risk of several cardiovascular issues, including stroke, heart disease, atrial fibrillation, and congestive heart failure.
If your BMI is greater than or equal to 25 kg/m², your doctor may also measure your waist circumference. It can help to determine your CVD risk.
Blood glucose test
When: Starting at age 35, the American Diabetes Association recommends getting a blood glucose test to check for high blood sugar levels every three years. There are several types of tests to screen for diabetes. Your doctor will determine which test makes sense for you.
Why: High blood sugar increases your risk for insulin resistance. This can lead to prediabetes and type 2 diabetes. Diabetes can impact heart health in many different ways, including damaging your blood vessels. Left untreated, diabetes can lead to heart disease and stroke.
Your doctor may also measure your A1C. According to the CDC, an A1C level of 6.5% or higher helps diagnose type 2 diabetes.
Cholesterol test
When: Starting at age 20, you should have either a fasting or non-fasting cholesterol level test every four to six years.
Why: High cholesterol can cause plaque buildup in your arteries. It’s a major risk factor for heart disease, heart attack, and stroke. Your risk increases even more if you smoke or have diabetes or high blood pressure.
What comes next?
Heart health screenings don’t mean much if you don’t follow through with care. If these screenings show your heart health is headed in the wrong direction, your doctor may recommend lifestyle changes, such as quitting smoking, or medications to reverse course. At your next preventive care appointment, talk to your doctor about ways you can prevent heart disease and keep from becoming a statistic.
