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Am I at Risk?

Every one runs the risk of getting heart disease, and the level of risk differs from one person to the next, based on a number of factors. Some of these are things we cannot control – such as family history of heart disease, or genetic predisposition.

But the good news is that most are factors we can control – such as cholesterol levels, smoking, blood pressure, diet and activity levels – through lifestyle changes or, if necessary, treatment therapies in partnership with your cardiologist. And here’s even better news: By taking control of your heart health, you can greatly lower your risk of getting heart disease!

So, where to start? The first step is to understand the most common risk factors known to be associated with heart disease, so that you can adjust your behavior to improve your chances of keeping or improving your heart health.

The videos in this section provide you with some basic background to help you, in partnership with your doctor, in preventing heart disease and improving your cardiovascular health. And the tools and calculators included here will give you and your physician further understanding into your level of risk of getting heart disease.

ON-LINE RISK ASSESSMENT TOOLS

	CardioSmart BMI Calculator
	Heart Disease Risk Assessment

INSTRUCTIONAL VIDEOS

LDL

LDL – the bad cholesterol. LDL is the cholesterol that gums up your arteries and causes the buildup of blockages. It’s also the cholesterol that is toxic to the lining of your arteries, increasing the risk of a heart attack or stroke.

High Blood Pressure

Hypertension is a major contributor to heart disease, and the number one preventable cause of heart failure. Things YOU can do to lower your blood pressure readings include losing weight, eating a healthy diet, reducing the amount of sodium in your diet to well below 2400 mg (the equivalent of 1 teaspoon of table salt per day), and stopping smoking. Regular physical activity is pivotal as well.

HDL

HDL – the good cholesterol. HDL particles are not depositing cholesterol in your arteries, but rather are removing it from your system, so the higher your HDL cholesterol the better.

Triglycerides

Triglycerides are one of the particles that transport fat around the body. Compared to LDL and HDL, the relative contribution of triglycerides to the development of heart disease has been less clear.

Smoking

Tobacco use remains the single most preventable cause of death, especially as it relates to heart disease. Estimates are that smoking directly causes 400,000 deaths in the United States per year. Happily, quitting smoking can result in rapid, dramatic changes in this picture.

Family History

Family history can be such an important predictive factor for your own health, so it is imperative that you take the time to find out as much as you can about the health of your relatives — your blood relatives.

What are the different types of fat?

There are good fats and bad fats, and moderation is still key. Choose smart fat, not low fat.