Heart Health: Seven Numbers You Need to Know

You have heard the saying, "home is where the heart is." Your actual heart's home is inside your body, and it is key to everything about your health. When it comes to your health, there are some numbers you should know by heart. 

The Cleveland Clinic, known worldwide as leaders in heart health, lists seven numbers you should be aware of when thinking about heart health.

1. Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol - The LDL number may indicate coronary heart disease. Find out if your LDL cholesterol level is where it should be.
2. BMI - We all know that too much weight is not good for your blood pressure or heart. The body mass index calculates your body fat based on your height and weight. When your BMI is high, you are at a higher risk for heart disease, stroke, hypertension, and diabetes. Discover whether your score is in the healthy range.
3. Waist circumference - According to the National Institutes of Health, if more fat is located around your waist (apple shape) rather than around your hips, you are at higher risk for conditions including heart disease and diabetes. Find out if your waist circumference puts you at risk for heart disease and other problems.
4. Waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) - Your WHR measures the amount of fat you hold in your waist, hips, and buttocks. A healthy WHR for women is .80 or less and is .90 or less for men.
5. Triglycerides - High blood fat levels are linked to coronary heart disease, especially in women. Find out if your levels put you at risk and learn how to lower them.
6. High Blood Pressure - You should know what your blood pressure is and be sure to keep your blood pressure under good control. High Blood pressure is known as the silent killer and leads to a higher risk of heart attack and stroke. Find out what your numbers say about your heart disease risk and how to lower them.
7. Fasting glucose - Your fasting blood glucose (FBG) indicates the amount of sugar in your blood after not eating or drinking fluids other than water for at least 8 hours. Elevated FBG indicates either prediabetes or diabetes, placing people at a higher risk of heart issues. Find out what your fasting glucose level says about your risk for heart disease and stroke.

The Heart also Means Love

The heart also refers to 'love.' Love is all about family. Your future good health, or lack of it, will impact your loved ones. Once you reach age 40, you should be planning for declining health in the future and other aging problems. 

A decline in your health, body, and mind place you at higher risk for needing help with daily living activities and supervision due to dementia. Long-term health care costs are rising rapidly, adversely impacting income, assets, lifestyle, and legacy. 

Are you prepared for longevity and the problems associated with aging and declining health? How would you pay for long-term health care? Where would the money come from to pay for quality care? Would you have to depend on your adult children to become your caregivers?

LTC Insurance Offers Quality Care and Asset Protection

Affordable Long-Term Care Insurance will safeguard your future retirement income and assets from the high costs of extended care. Your 401(k), IRA, and other savings need to be protected. 

People need long-term health care due to illness, accidents, or just the impact of aging. Even if you are heart-healthy, you still have a high risk of needing long-term health care after age 65. The longer we live leads to many aging issues, including memory loss. 

Quality long-term health care is expensive but varies depending on where you live - Cost of Care Calculator - Choose Your State | LTC News. Don't place the responsibility of caregiving on untrained and unprepared loved ones. Don't risk your hard-earned assets to pay for care. 

Long-Term Care Insurance will give you guaranteed tax-free benefits to pay for your choice of quality care options, including in-home care. Your loved ones will have the time to be family instead of caregivers. 

LTC Insurance is Dependable 

The economy changes, often without notice. Inflation, international events, domestic politics all adversely impact your savings when you least expect it. 

Depend on the guaranteed tax-free resources of Long-Term Care Insurance. You can control only a few things in life, but you can depend on an LTC policy to deliver you access to your choice of quality care and peace of mind to your family. 

Most people obtain coverage in their 50s. Find an experienced Long-Term Care Insurance specialist to help you navigate the many options.