February is American Heart Month, and the American Heart Association is looking for help with their amazing and ambitious goal:

“Today, our near-term goal is nothing less than a 25% reduction in coronary heart disease and stroke risk by the year 2010.”

Heart disease is the #1 killer in women, something that surprises many people. Unfortunately, it’s not a surprise to me. 18 years ago, my Mom died unexpectedly of a massive heart attack at the age of 47. She had all of the numbers working against her, but the heart disease in women wasn’t a public health issue in the early 1990s. Heart disease was still a “male disease.”

My Move it Monday request for this week, regardless of age or gender, is that you make an appointment with your health care provider to get your vital stats checked. In particular, according to the AHA, you should look for:

• Total Cholesterol: Less than 200 mg/dL
• LDL Cholesterol:
  • Less than 100 mb/dL: Optimal
  • 100 to 129 mg/dL: Near/Above Optimal
  • 130 to 159 mg/dL: Borderline High
  • 160 to 189 mg/dL: High
  • 190 mg/dL and above: Very High
• HDL: 50 mg/dL or higher
• Triglycerides: <150 mg/dL
• Blood pressure: <120/80 mmHg
• Fasting Glucose: <100 mg/dL
• Body Mass Index: <25 Kg/m2
• Waist Circumference: <35 inches

If the numbers above look confusing, don’t worry about it. Your doctor knows what they mean and can tell you if your numbers are within the proper ranges or not. Many insurance plans now cover basic bloodwork and preventative care, which the tests above definitely are.

Once you’ve made your appointment, drop me a note in the comments below and let me know. But, don’t do it for me. Do it for yourself, your friends, and your family.