Dr. Ildiko Agoston, at UT Health Cardiology, advises everyone over 20-years-old to see a primary care physician for a blood pressure and weight check as well as a fasting glucose and cholesterol screening.

Knowing and tracking these numbers can alert your health provider to potential risks and ensure any concerns are immediately addressed. Dr. Agoston also shares these 28 heart-healthy tips to help you begin making healthier choices to prevent heart disease and optimize your longevity.

1. Go to your primary care physician for a complete physical and lab work every year. Click here to find a UT Health Primary Care Physician.
2. Reduce your salt intake. Avoid eating more than 2,300 milligrams a day.
3. Add 30 minutes of heart-pumping exercise into your day, every day
4. Don’t smoke.UT Health can help. We offer free smoking cessation classes. Learn more.
5. Find the best method for lowering your stress, and use it as often as you are able. Exercise, meditate, dance or read to make time to decompress.
6. If you have diabetes, manage it well. The diabetes practice at UT Health San Antonio is accepting new patients for diabetes management, nutrition evaluations and diabetes education.
7. Monitor your blood pressure. A healthy blood pressure is lower than 120 Systolic and lower than 80 Diastolic or 120/80.
8. If you have high cholesterol, follow your doctor’s advice in addition to making healthy food choices and being active. Have your cholesterol checked by your primary care physician every year.
9. Limit the number of sugary drinks you have. High blood sugar encourages the growth of plaque in your arteries and increases your risk for diabetes, heart disease and stroke.
10. Maintain a normal body mass index (BMI) between 18.5 and 25 is optimal for cardiovascular health. Calculate your BMI here.
11. Switch red meat for fish or a vegetarian main course
12. Limit your alcohol intake to 1 or fewer drinks per day
13. Add more whole grains to your diet
14. Talk to your doctor about taking an omega-3 fatty acid supplement
15. Keep your waist circumference under 40 inches if you’re a man, or 35 inches if you’re a woman.
16. Eliminate as many trans fats from your diet as possible
17. If you snore, talk to your physician to ensure it isn’t caused by obstructive sleep apnea.
18. Get 7-8 hours of quality sleep every night.
19. Learn the warning signs of a heart attack. Click here to learn the symptoms of a heart attack.
20. Know your risk for developing heart disease. Visit a primary care physician for a blood pressure and weight check as well as a fasting glucose and cholesterol screening to determine your risk of developing heart disease.
21. Make your snacks nutrient-rich with whole grains, low-fat dairy, fruits and vegetables.
22. Switch to fat-free and/or low-fat dairy products
23. Don’t sit for long periods of time. Take a walking break.
24. Avoid second-hand smoke.
25. Add a variety of colors to your plate. A variety of heart-healthy nutrition keeps you living at your best health potential.
26. Maintain a healthy blood sugar. High blood sugar encourages the growth of plaque in your arteries and increases your risk for diabetes, heart disease and stroke.
27. Learn the warning signs of a stroke. Click to learn the symptoms of stroke.
28. Ask your physician about an ankle-brachial index test to screen for peripheral artery disease.

If you’re worried about your heart health, schedule an appointment with one of our primary care physicians. UT Health San Antonio has primary care locations across San Antonio and in the Hill Country.  Click here to find a UT Health Primary Care Physician.