Diabetes & Heart Disease:

The Numbers You Need to Know

Knowing five numbers can give you a more accurate picture of your health. At your next appointment, talk to your
doctor about how to keep them in target range to lower your risk of heart disease and stroke.

How is it How My
Risk Factor What is It? Target Range
Done? Often? Numbers

Your average blood Every 6 months Recent A1C:

A1C: ≤ 7%
A1C glucose levels for the Blood test. or more often
for non-pregnant adults
past 2–3 months. if needed.

BMI: 18.5-24.9 kg/m^2*

Enter height and
weight into a BMI Waistline: BMI:
BMI A calculation calculator Regularly at If your BMI is between 25
based on height and 35, your goal is less
(Body Mass Index) home and at
and weight and Measure around than 35 inches for women
& Waist every doctor’s Waistline:
a measurement your bare waist, and 40 inches for men.
appointment.
Circumference around your waist. at the belly button,
just before you *BMI should be interpreted with
breathe out.** caution for persons of Asian ancestry,
older adults, and muscular adults.

Less than 120/80 mmHg

Daily at home
The force of blood Recent BP Reading:
At home with an if possible,
Blood pumping through For those that require
arm cuff and/or at and at every
Pressure your arteries when pharmacological therapy,
your doctor’s office. doctor’s /
your heart beats. target BP should be
appointment. 130/80 mmHg.

Total:

LDL:
Talk to your doctor.
A waxy substance
produced by Yearly or as Most people with
Generally, a fasting diabetes age 40–75 will
Cholesterol the liver or from
blood test.
recommended HDL:
foods derived by your doctor. be prescribed a statin
from animals. for primary ASCVD
prevention.
Triglycerides:

*per heart.org/en/healthy-living/healthy-eating/losing-weight/bmi-in-adults
**per cdc.gov/healthyweight/assessing/index.html
 How is it How My
Risk Factor What is It? Target Range
Done? Often? Numbers
Urine & GFR test:
Blood Tests:
Kidneys filter eGFR > 60 is normal
waste and fluid Estimated glomerular eGFR < 60 may mean you eGFR:
from the body. filtration rate (eGFR) have kidney disease
tests how well
Yearly or as
Kidney Albumin and the kidneys are eGFR < or = 15 is
recommended kidney failure
Function creatinine are filtering blood.
by your doctor. Albuminuria test:
proteins that can
pass into the urine A urine test, called Albuminuria test:
when the kidneys ACR, checks 30 mg/g or less is normal
are damaged. levels of albumin
compared to > 30 mg/g may be a sign
creatinine. of kidney disease

You Have the Numbers, Now What?

Following up on your numbers and keeping healthy routines can reduce your risk
for heart disease and stroke.

Start a conversation with your care team to build a

plan together to keep these numbers in check and your heart and
kidneys healthy.

Build habits that can make a big difference— eat smart,

move more and stick to your medication plan.

Develop a solid network of support to help you stay motivated.

Building A Plan with Your Care Team: Discussion Guide

1. Which numbers should I be most concerned about?
2. What can I do to get them within target range?
3. What else can I do to reduce my risk for heart disease and stroke?
4. Share any concerns that you have with your doctor/care team around your
treatment plan. Discuss solutions to address those concerns.

For more information, visit

KnowDiabetesbyHeart.org/know-your-numbers-lower-your-risk

© 2022 American Heart Association, Inc. and American Diabetes Association, 501(c)(3) not-for-profits. All rights reserved. Know Diabetes by Heart is a trademark of the AHA and ADA.
Unauthorized use prohibited. DS20119 10/22