A cardiologist urging people to 'know your numbers' has explained why it could be important to monitor your blood pressure, cholesterol and HbA1c. Dr Nabila Laskar, a Consultant Cardiologist, often shares educational videos with her thousands of social media followers.

In a video post shared on her Instagram page @thecardiologydoctors, Dr Nabila shared a clip entitled: "Five heart tips I'm walking into 2026 with,' and her list started with the recommendation to 'know your numbers'. Explaining her first tip, Dr Nabila wrote: "Blood pressure, cholesterol, HbA1c. If you don’t measure it, you can't manage it."

As the NHS explains, lowering your blood pressure and cholesterol levels can reduce your risk of developing coronary heart disease. HbA1c measures your average blood glucose. High blood sugar mainly affects people with diabetes.

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The NHS says high blood sugar can cause serious problems if it stays high for a long time or gets to a very high level. For people who do not know their blood pressure, cholesterol, or HbA1c, GP surgeries and some pharmacies can usually help to arrange tests.

For her next tip, Dr Nabila said she would prioritise daily movement. "10–20 minutes of intentional movement a day is more protective than most people realise." The expert added that she would 'protect' sleep 'like medicine', and she recommended getting seven to nine hours.

According to Dr Nabila's guidance, this step could be especially important for people with high blood pressure. The doctor explained: "Poor sleep drives high BP, weight gain, inflammation silently."

Sharing another tip, Dr Nabila said: "Stress Is a Cardiovascular Risk Factor. Treat it like one. Build micro-stress-relief into your day (breathing, boundaries, breaks)."

Finally, the doctor discussed the importance of a balanced diet for heart health. She wrote: "Eat for Your Future Heart, Not Your Current Cravings. More plants, fibre, omega-3s. Less ultra-processed food. Your arteries will thank you."

More information about healthy eating is available on the British Heart Foundation website. The advice states: "Healthy eating isn’t about cutting out or focusing on individual foods or nutrients. It’s thinking about your whole diet and eating a variety of foods in the right amounts to give your body what it needs.

"There are foods we need to eat more of, like fruit and vegetables, and others we need to eat less of, which are foods high in saturated fat, sugar and salt. It's all about getting the right balance. Eating healthily can be tasty, simple and fun. It’s about making small, long-term changes and enjoying the food you eat."

More information is available on the NHS website and the British Heart Foundation website. Always speak to a GP about any health concerns.