An important aspect of lowering risk of cardiovascular disease, or coronary artery disease (CAD), is managing health behaviors and risk factors such as diet quality, physical activity, smoking, body mass index (BMI), blood pressure, total cholesterol and blood glucose. A healthcare provider may conduct or request screening tests during regular visits.

For those that have less than ideal test results, it doesn’t mean they are destined to develop a serious cardiovascular disease. On the contrary, it means they are in a position to begin changing their health in a positive way. Some measurements, such as body weight and blood pressure, are taken during routine medical appointments, and some cardiovascular screening tests begin at age 20. The frequency of follow-up will depend on the level of risk.

Individuals may require additional and more frequent testing if they have been diagnosed with a cardiovascular condition such as heart failure or atrial fibrillation, or have a history of heart attack, stroke or other cardiovascular events. Even without being diagnosed with a condition, a healthcare provider may want more stringent screening if there are already risk factors present or a family history of cardiovascular disease. Here are the key screening tests for monitoring cardiovascular health:

Blood Pressure

Blood pressure is one of the most important screenings because it usually has no symptoms. High blood pressure greatly increases the risk of heart disease and stroke. If blood pressure is below 120/80, it should be checked at least once every two years, starting at age 20. If it is higher, a doctor may want to check it more often. High blood pressure can be controlled through lifestyle changes and/or medication.

Fasting Lipoprotein Profile (cholesterol)

A fasting lipoprotein profile can be taken every four to six years, starting at age 20. This is a blood test that measures total cholesterol, LDL (bad) cholesterol and HDL (good) cholesterol. More frequent testing may be needed if a healthcare provider finds an increased risk for heart disease or stroke. After age 40, the health care provider will also want to use an equation to calculate the 10-year risk of experiencing cardiovascular disease or stroke. Like high blood pressure, cholesterol can often be controlled through lifestyle changes and/or medication.

Body Weight 

A healthcare provider may ask for waist circumference or use body weight to calculate body mass index (BMI) during a routine visit. These measurements can tell whether we are at a healthy body weight and composition. Being obese puts us at higher risk for health problems such as heart disease, stroke, atrial fibrillation, congestive heart failure and more.

Blood Glucose 

High blood glucose or, "blood sugar", levels put us at greater risk of developing insulin resistance, prediabetes and Type 2 diabetes, which untreated, can lead to many serious medical problems, including heart disease and stroke. For someone that is overweight and has at least one additional cardiovascular risk factor, a healthcare provider may recommend a blood glucose test or also measure glycated hemoglobin A1c levels to screen for Type 2 diabetes (6.5 percent or higher).

Smoking, Physical Activity and Diet

Smokers should talk to their healthcare provider about approaches to help quit. Also discuss your diet and physical activity habits. If there’s room for improvement in diet and daily physical activity levels, ask them to provide helpful suggestions.

The American Diabetes Association recommends testing for prediabetes and risk for future diabetes for all people beginning at age 45 years. If tests are normal, it is reasonable to repeat testing at a minimum of three-year intervals.

For more information, visit the American Heart Association at Heart.org.