Did you know that heart disease is the leading cause of death for both men and women in the US? In fact, one person dies of cardiovascular disease every 36 seconds.

The good news is that there are ways that you can reduce your risk of heart disease. The exact steps you need to take will depend on your own circumstances.

Your cardiologist is the person who can help you work out how to reduce your risk of cardiovascular problems.

What information do you need from your cardiologist? Read on to learn more.

Blood Pressure

High blood pressure is a key indicator that you are at a higher risk of cardiovascular problems. High blood pressure can lead to heart attacks but is also a factor in other serious issues such as strokes.

You should be aiming for a blood pressure of 120/80 mmHg or lower. If your blood pressure is higher than this, there are a number of ways you can try to get it down. These include regular exercise, reducing alcohol intake, losing weight, or eating a healthier diet.

If these methods aren't effective, you may be offered medication that can help to lower your blood pressure.

LDL Cholesterol

High cholesterol is another indicator that you are at risk of cardiovascular problems. This is because cholesterol can become deposited in your arteries causing them to harden or become blocked, increasing your risk of problems such as heart attacks and strokes.

Not all cholesterol is bad, however. Low-density cholesterol, or LDL, is the type of cholesterol that can cause problems. It is sometimes known as 'bad' cholesterol for this reason. High-density cholesterol, or HDL, can actually help your body to get rid of excess cholesterol.

If your LDL cholesterol levels are high, you can try changing your diet, or increasing the amount of exercise you get. If this is unsuccessful you may require medication to reduce your LDL cholesterol levels.

Risk of Cardiovascular Problems

One of the most important pieces of information you should get from your cardiologist is your risk of heart disease.

Based on your test results, your cardiologist will be able to give you an indication of the chances that you will suffer from heart problems or other related conditions in the future.

This will give you a clear idea of whether you need to make changes in your lifestyle or start a course of medication. By knowing how the heart works and your current level of risk, you can take the necessary steps to reduce the chances of the worst happening.

What Information Do You Need? Now You Know

What information do you need from your cardiologist? Hopefully, this article has helped you to answer that question.

Since heart disease is the leading cause of death in the US, it is vital that you have all the information you need to live a heart-healthy lifestyle. Your cardiologist will be able to advise you of the steps you'll need to take.

If you're looking for more useful articles like this one, then be sure to check out the rest of the site.