It’s important to know your numbers when it comes to heart disease risk.

Cholesterol levels, weight, blood pressure and A1C all offer vital clues when it comes to the state of your cardiovascular health and the chance of a heart attack or stroke happening down the road.

All of them can be improved with lifestyle or medicine to reduce the threat.

But there’s a key number you may be missing.

Cardiologist Tip of the Day: Watch Your Waist Size

When it comes to weight, many people focus on the number on the scale or their body mass index (BMI), but they should also pay close attention to their waist circumference , said Dr. Suzanne Steinbaum, a preventive cardiologist in New York.

“Because that in itself can increase the risk of cardiovascular disease,” she previously told TODAY .

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