Do you have too much "bad" cholesterol? Enough "good"? And how’s that blood pressure faring? These measurements are important clues to your risk for heart disease, and they come from simple tests your doctor will usually do during a routine checkup.

Since nearly twice as many women in the United States die of heart disease and stroke as from all forms of cancer, including breast and ovarian, it's important to know how to interpret your numbers.

1. Cholesterol
A fat that surrounds cells in the body and plays a key role in the development of heart disease. Cholesterol in your bloodstream comes both from internal sources (it’s made by your liver) and external (from animal foods you eat).

Low-density lipoprotein: LDL (also known as the "bad" cholesterol) sticks to blood-vessel walls, helping to create plaques that can clog arteries and cause a heart attack.

Healthy range for women:
• Nonsmokers with normal blood pressure and cholesterol: Less than 160 mg/dL
• Smokers or those with high blood pressure or cholesterol: Less than 130 mg/dL
• With heart disease: Less than 100 mg/dL

High-density lipoprotein: HDL ("good" cholesterol) mops up LDL cholesterol and transports it back to the liver for disposal.

Healthy range:
50 mg/dL or higher

2. Triglycerides
Produced by the liver, they combine with LDL cholesterol to form artery-narrowing plaques.

Healthy range:
Less than 150 mg/dL

3. Blood pressure
The force exerted by blood against artery walls. High blood pressure directly increases the risk of heart disease. Measured by two readings:

Systolic pressure (first number): pressure during a heartbeat

Diastolic pressure (second number): pressure between heartbeat

Healthy range:
Less than 120/80 mmHg

4. Fasting glucose
Shows how much sugar is in your bloodstream; too much may be a tip-off to undiagnosed diabetes.

Healthy range:
Less than 100 mg/dL