Get Heart Smart
Heart disease is often called a silent killer, with many people not aware they have it until it becomes life-threatening. Preventive care is the best way to protect your heart health, and you can start by reviewing the resources on this page.
Heart disease is often called a silent killer, with many people not aware they have it until it becomes life-threatening. Preventive care is the best way to protect your heart health, and you can start by reviewing the resources on this page.
Do a Quick Health-risk Check
Plug your numbers into the body mass index calculator below and jumpstart a conversation with your doctor about your risk for common conditions.
Calculate Your Body Mass Index (BMI)
Your Height
Your Weight
Your BMI
Your score indicates that you are underweight for your height.
Your score indicates a normal weight for your height.
Your score indicates that you are overweight.
Your score indicates obesity. You should talk to a healthcare provider.
Health-related information entered on this page does not leave your browser.
The body mass index (BMI) calculation is meant to be a screening tool for disease risk, used in combination with other assessments made by your healthcare provider. BMI standards can vary in accuracy, depending on your age, gender, ethnicity, frame, health status and other factors. It’s important to continue the conversation with your healthcare provider after you use this calculator.
What do these numbers measure, and what are healthy readings?
Cholesterol
A waxy substance produced by the liver.
Less than
200 mg/dL
Too much can make it harder for blood to circulate.
Blood Sugar
The amount of sugar in your blood.
Less than
100 mg/dL
This is a healthy reading when taken about two hours
Blood Pressure
The force of the blood against the arteries when the heart beats.
Less than
120/80
The top number (systolic) measures the pressure in the arteries when the heart beats; the bottom number (diastolic) measures the pressure between beats.
BMI
A calculation used to estimate your total body fat.
Between
18.6—24.9
Your ideal body weight depends on your gender, age, height and frame. BMIs can provide a good guideline.
A Message from Gbenga Ogedegbe, MD, MPH, FACP
I believe as physicians, it’s not our job to just take care of patients in a hospital, but to also ensure that the communities they live in support a healthy lifestyle. One way to solve the problem is to bring health equity into the community–where patients live, where they eat, where they work and where they play.
A Message from Gbenga Ogedegbe, MD, MPH, FACP
My research is about developing strategies to reduce the racial gap and the morbidity gap in terms of cardiovascular disease: hypertension, high blood pressure and stroke. If you look at Black men today, they have the highest risk of cardiovascular disease, are more likely to die of colon cancer and are more likely to die of hypertension. If Black men don’t come into clinics, how do we address their healthcare needs? People know they have high blood pressure; they are aware of that. But life gets in the way.
One way to solve the problem is to bring health into the community (barber shops, senior centers, churches…). So we developed an alternative model of care—community-based interventions, across all five boroughs—and pack healthcare vans and screen for very basic stuff: blood pressure, diabetes and have they had their colonoscopy or not. We can engage them more and attract them to come to clinics to receive their care. Going to communities and talking to folks about their health is not foreign to me. I’m very comfortable talking to people of different ages and different cultures.
“Heart-smart Living Starts Here, with Dr. Michael Ghalchi”
For American Heart Month, Dr. Michael Ghalchi, founder and medical director of Manhattan Cardiovascular Associates, walks us through symptoms of heart disease and explains what regular screenings can reveal about your risk. He also shares “quick wins” and sustainable habits that can support your heart health over the long haul.
“The Heart of the Matter, with Dr. Gbenga Ogedegbe”
Join us as we talk heart health with Dr. Gbenga Ogedegbe, renowned cardiologist and founding director of the Institute for Excellence in Health Equity at NYU Langone Health. Dr. Ogedegbe provides an overview of how the heart works, as well as practical tips on preventing heart disease. He also shares a few stress-busting strategies he practices daily.
“Listen to Your Heart, with Dr. Shivani Verma”
In this episode, Dr. Shivani Verma, an Interventional Cardiologist at Maimonides Medical Center shares valuable insights about heart health, including symptoms to watch for, the benefits of common screenings and the rewards of early prevention.
What Can You Do to Reduce Your Risk of Developing Heart Disease?
Start by adopting healthy habits now that you feel you can maintain.
Statistics
A study found that women who took regular brisk walks raised their levels of HDL (“good”) cholesterol, correlating to a 50%+ reduction in coronary events.
Heart attack patients in a formal exercise program experienced a reduced death rate of 20% to 25%.
The most physically active study subjects had disease rates 50% lower than those who were sedentary.
In 15 controlled trials, exercise training was found to increase peak cardiac output by over 20%.
Source: Healthline
Heart-Healthy Fitness Classes
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Yoga and Pilates Fusion Flow
Tuesday, February 17, 2026, at 6:30 pm
Ready to exercise your way to better health? Join the Benefit Funds’ all-new two-month series of exercise classes for members. Practice flexibility and mindfulness with yoga, all from the comfort and convenience of your own home. -
Retirees: Heart and Soul Afro Cardio Jam
Wednesday, February 18, 2026, at 1:00 pm
Come dance, connect and move on a soulful dance journey to the rhythms of African drums.
Meeting ID: 810 2197 1718
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Retirees: Latin Cardio Dance
Friday, February 20, 2026, at 11:00 am
An exhilarating cardio class set to Latin music that uses easy-to-follow choreography to keep you moving and grooving while toning your body and burning fat.
Meeting ID: 861 3295 5230
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Dance
Saturday, February 21, 2026, at 10:00 am
Ready to exercise your way to better health? Join the Benefit Funds’ all-new two-month series of exercise classes for members. Get into the groove with an African dance class, all from the comfort and convenience of your own home.
The Choice Is Yours
Explore online and in-person programs designed to support your health journey. We offer resources to help you manage hypertension, achieve a healthy weight and address prediabetes or Type 2 diabetes.
Learn more and find the right program for you!
Resources
Access free or reduced-cost community services and programs close to where you live or work with findhelp.org. Search for support in your community, including housing assistance, emotional well-being resources, child care, legal help and more.
Visit findhelp.1199SEIUBenefits.org to get started.
The information contained in this site is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as health or medical advice. Always consult a physician or other qualified health provider regarding any questions you may have about a medical condition or health objectives. See terms of use.
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