February is Heart Health Month — and the perfect time to take stock of where your cardiovascular health stands. This assessment will help you identify your key risk factors, understand your current numbers, and set clear priorities for the months ahead. Knowledge is the foundation of action.
Your Cardiovascular Risk Profile: Know Your Numbers
| Metric | Your Target | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| HbA1c | <53 mmol/mol (7%) | Each 1% reduction reduces CVD risk by ~14% |
| Blood Pressure | <130/80 mmHg | Leading modifiable CVD risk factor in diabetes |
| LDL Cholesterol | <1.8 mmol/L (high risk) | Primary driver of atherosclerotic plaque |
| Triglycerides | <1.7 mmol/L | Elevated in insulin resistance; independent CVD risk |
| eGFR | >60 mL/min/1.73m² | Kidney function; CKD multiplies CVD risk |
| BMI / Waist Circumference | BMI <25; Waist <94cm (M) / <80cm (F) | Central obesity drives insulin resistance and CVD |
February Heart Health Checklist
- Book your annual diabetes review if you have not had one in the past 12 months
- Check your blood pressure at home or at a pharmacy — aim for <130/80 mmHg
- Review your most recent cholesterol results — do you know your LDL number?
- Assess your physical activity — are you achieving 150 minutes per week?
- Review your diet — have you incorporated any heart-healthy changes this month?
- If you smoke, make a quit date and contact your GP for support
- Review your medications with your doctor — are you on a statin and ACE inhibitor/ARB if indicated?
Setting Your March Cardiovascular Goals
Heart health is not a destination — it is an ongoing process of small, consistent improvements. As February draws to a close, take a moment to identify one specific, measurable goal for March. It might be walking 30 minutes every day, reducing your sodium intake by cutting out processed foods, taking your blood pressure medication consistently, or booking a long-overdue GP appointment.
The most important cardiovascular risk factor is the one you can change today. Use the knowledge you have gained this month to take one meaningful step forward.
Heart disease is the leading cause of death in diabetes — but it is also largely preventable. Know your numbers (HbA1c, blood pressure, cholesterol, kidney function), take your medications as prescribed, eat a heart-healthy diet, exercise regularly, and do not smoke. This February, commit to one meaningful cardiovascular health action. Your heart will thank you for it.
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