When it comes to heart health, most people think of one thing: cholesterol.

The truth is, your heart health is shaped by a handful of key markers that work together, like your blood pressure, cholesterol, blood sugar, and more. The good news? You don’t need to track everything all the time. You just need to know the right numbers and how often to check them.

Here are the top 5 heart health markers worth monitoring and the ideal cadence to keep you informed without feeling overwhelmed.

1. Blood Pressure: Your Most Important Routine Check

High blood pressure is one of the biggest drivers of heart attack and stroke risk and it often has no obvious symptoms.

What to track: Your systolic and diastolic blood pressure (example: 120/80)

How often to check:

• 2–3x per week if you’re building a baseline or have a history of high readings

• Daily if your doctor is adjusting medications or you’re actively managing hypertension

• Monthly if your readings have been consistently normal

Pro tip: Home readings can be more accurate than occasional doctor visits because they reflect your day-to-day reality.

👉 Check out our most popular BP monitor of 2025: Welch Allyn Home Series 1700 Blood Pressure Monitor

2. Cholesterol: Less Frequent for Some, More Important for Others

Cholesterol is still a key heart health marker, but how often you need it tested depends on your risk level.

For adults with low cardiovascular risk and a history of normal results, many major health organizations recommend cholesterol screening about every 4–6 years.
However, if you have risk factors like high blood pressure, diabetes, family history, or previously elevated numbers, you may need testing every 6–12 months.

What to track:

• LDL (“bad cholesterol”)

• HDL

• Triglycerides

• Non-HDL cholesterol (if provided)

How often to check:

• Every 4–6 years if low risk + previously normal

• Every 6–12 months if elevated, higher risk, or adjusting treatment

👉 At-home labs are becoming increasingly popular with the ability to test certain markers, without ever leaving your home. Check out our Cholesterol Panel At-Home Lipid Test if you're looking for an easy way to track your cholesterol. 

3. Blood Sugar (A1c): A Heart Health Metric in Disguise

Blood sugar isn’t just a diabetes topic, it’s a heart health marker too. Insulin resistance, pre-diabetes, and diabetes significantly increase cardiovascular risk over time.

The most helpful test for long-term tracking is HbA1c, which reflects your average blood sugar over about 3 months.

What to track: HbA1c (or fasting glucose)

How often to check:

• Every 6–12 months for most adults

• Every 3–6 months if you’ve been told you’re pre-diabetic or working on improvements

👉 Check out our At-Home A1c Test Kit to help monitor average blood glucose (A1c) over the past 2-3 months.

4. Resting Heart Rate: A Simple Trend That Tells a Bigger Story

Resting heart rate (RHR) is one of the easiest markers to track and it can reflect changes in fitness, stress, sleep, illness, and recovery.

A single number doesn’t tell the full story, but trends over time can be incredibly informative.

What to track: Your resting heart rate (ideally measured in the morning)

How often to check:

• Daily (especially if you use a wearable)

• Or simply review weekly averages to spot trends

👉 Looking for a wearable option? Check out the Fitbit Inspire 3 Activity Tracker. If you're looking for something simple to track your heart rate, check out the Zacurate Pulse Oximeter.

5. Waist Circumference: One of the Best Predictors People Ignore

Weight alone doesn’t tell you much about heart health, but waist circumference can. It’s a strong indicator of visceral fat (fat stored around organs), which is linked to inflammation and cardiovascular risk.

What to track: Waist measurement (measured consistently at the same spot each time)

How often to check:

• Monthly (it changes slowly, so this is ideal for trend tracking)

👉 The easiest way to track waist circumference is a body measuring tape.

The Big Takeaway: Track the Right Things at the Right Time

You don’t need to obsess over every metric to take your heart health seriously.

A simple rhythm like this can help most people stay on track:

• Weekly: blood pressure, activity
• Monthly: waist measurement
• Every 6–12 months: A1c + cholesterol if risk factors exist
• Every 4–6 years: cholesterol if low-risk and historically normal

Most importantly: if you’re unsure what “low risk” means for you, a quick conversation with a clinician can clarify the best schedule based on your personal and family history.

Ready to Get Proactive About Your Heart Health?

Whether you’re building healthier habits, tracking key markers, or looking for a simple plan you can stick with, consistency is what makes the difference.

Quick Disclaimer: Everyone’s health needs are different. If you have a diagnosed condition or take prescription medications, follow the plan from your healthcare provider. This guide is intended to help people get started with understanding and tracking their baseline numbers.