3 Ways to Know if Your Doctor is Heart-Smart

Good Housekeeping

1. There's a tape measure in the examining room.


Your waistline provides a better indication of your heart disease risk than a height/weight measure does. The number to watch for: 35 inches. Anything over that puts women at highest risk. (Related: All About the Flat Belly Diet)

2. She asks you about exercise.
Along with eating well, being active can help cut your risk of heart disease and stroke by up to 50 percent. So your doctor should question you about your workout habits - and make sure your program is challenging enough to help your cardiovascular system. (Related: Find the right workout routine for your lifestyle)

3. Your blood tests include high-sensitivity C-reactive protein.
Cholesterol and "regular" CRP tests provide a good window on your heart attack risk, but the high-sensitivity version is better. And it's a far more accurate predictor of your chances of a stroke. (Related: Will these foods lower your cholesterol?)

More Health and Fitness Advice from Good Housekeeping:
What to Eat to Get a Healthier Heart
100 Easy Ways to Get Healthy
Say Good-Bye to Belly Fat
Lose 2 Inches in 2 Weeks
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