Heart Risks

Heart disease is the nation's number one killer of people over the age of 45. (Read about "Coronary Heart Disease") Knowing the main risk factors for heart disease can help you take extra precautions. (Read about "Cardiovascular Tests")

Our HEART RISK ASSESSMENT can help you learn more about your own heart risk factors.

Simply click on the link for the form. Fill it out online to learn more about how specific things affect the risk of heart disease. When you're done, you may want to print it out and share it with your doctor. Any information you enter will NOT be saved once you close the window. This is to protect your privacy. When you're done, simply close the form window, and continue reading.

Several factors increase the risk of developing heart disease. The more risk factors you have, the greater chance you have of developing problems, according to the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute (NHLBI). Age makes a difference. As you get older, your risk increases. According to the American Heart Association (AHA), other risk factors include family history (Read about "Family Health History"), high blood pressure, high cholesterol, smoking, diabetes and obesity. Not all of these risk factors can be controlled. But all of us should improve the things we CAN change to reduce our risk of heart disease.

Age

As you get older, your risk of heart disease increases. NHLBI says risk increases for men older than 45 years and for women older than 55 years. A woman's risk also increases after menopause. (Read about "Menopause") Although you can't change your age, there are other risk factors that CAN be controlled.

Family history

If someone in your family has had a heart attack or stroke or been diagnosed with atherosclerosis (Read about "Arteriosclerosis & Atherosclerosis"), AHA says you are at an increased risk of heart disease. In atherosclerosis, fatty deposits accumulate in and on the lining of the walls of your arteries. These deposits impair the flow of blood. Untreated, the deposits can continue to build until a complete blockage occurs. If this happens in a coronary artery, a heart attack results. If this happens in an artery leading to the brain (Read about "The Brain"), a stroke results. (Read about "Stroke") Although you can't change family history, there are other risk factors that CAN be controlled.

High blood pressure

High blood pressure or hypertension is an important risk factor in the development of heart disease. The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute says that over time, high blood pressure damages the blood vessels of the body. The effects are multiplied if there is also a build-up of fatty deposits and plaque. All this forces the heart to work harder to pump the blood.

Millions of Americans have high blood pressure but don't know it because the disease often has no symptoms. But because high blood pressure can cause so many complications, it's essential to bring it under control through diet, exercise and, if necessary, medication.

Your blood pressure is considered elevated if it is greater than or equal to 120 mm/Hg systolic pressure and the diastolic number is less than 80. You are considered to have high blood pressure if your top (systolic) number is 130 or higher or your bottom (diastolic) number is 80 or higher. Ask your doctor or healthcare professional about screenings for high blood pressure. (Read about "Hypertension: High Blood Pressure")

High cholesterol

Excess cholesterol causes plaque to build up on the walls of your arteries. AHA says this reduces blood flow, so the heart has to work harder. But not all cholesterol is bad. High-density lipoprotein is the so-called "good" cholesterol. Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) is the undesirable cholesterol. LDL cholesterol is the one that causes build-up in the blood vessels.

In general, to control your LDL levels, AHA recommends that you should limit the amount of fat in your diet to no more than thirty percent of your total daily calories or even lower. You should also cut back on saturated fats. Those are the ones that come from animal sources, like butter, cream, poultry skin and fats in meat. Sometimes, however, heredity leads to high cholesterol and in these cases, medication may be needed as well.

Ask your doctor about having your cholesterol checked. If you have one or more risk factors for heart disease, he or she may recommend a program that includes regular cholesterol screenings. (Read about "Cholesterol")

Smoking

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention say studies indicate that cigarette smokers have more than double the risk of having a heart attack that non-smokers do. If you don't smoke, the best advice is this - don't start. If you do smoke, remember that the heavier you smoke and the longer you've been at it, the higher your risk can be. Look into stop-smoking programs at the American Cancer Society, the American Lung Association or your local hospital. Once you quit smoking, studies show your risk eventually goes back down to the level of someone who never smoked. (Read about "Quit Smoking")

Diabetes

Diabetes affects the body's ability to control blood sugar. The American Diabetes Association says that high blood sugar levels can be accompanied by higher fat levels. High blood sugar levels can also lead to blood vessel problems. Strict management of blood sugar levels is essential for diabetics to reduce their risk of heart disease. (Read about "Diabetes")

Obesity

If you weigh more than twenty percent above your ideal weight, the American Medical Association says you increase your chances of developing heart disease and other medical problems. You can also use a measurement called body mass index (BMI) to help determine your risk. (Read about "Body Mass Index") Ask your doctor about weight reduction through proper diet and exercise. NHLBI says the best way to lose weight is slowly. A weight loss of 1 to 2 pounds a week is do-able, and will help you keep off the weight. It also will give you the time to make new, healthy lifestyle changes. According to NHLBI, you need to focus on energy IN (calories from food and drinks) and energy OUT (physical activity), follow a healthy eating plan, learn how to adopt more healthful lifestyle habits. Over time, these changes will become part of your everyday life. (Read about "Obesity" "Losing Weight")

Other

Recently studies have suggested that elevated levels of what is called C-reactive protein (CRP) may be an indication of potential heart disease. AHA says that CRP levels increase when the blood vessels are inflamed. Some studies indicate that inflammation of the blood vessels may play an important role in atherosclerosis. Some studies also show that elevated levels of homocysteine are an indication of greater heart disease risk. (Read about "Homocysteine")

Remember, having even one of the risk factors can put you at an increased risk of heart disease. It's essential that you talk with your doctor about reducing your risk.

Related Information:

    Heart Disease and Women

    Coronary Heart Disease

    Peripheral Arterial Disease

    Vascular System

    Cardiac Rehabilitation

    The Heart and Its Valves

    Cardiomyopathy

    Glossary of Stroke Terms

    Glossary of Heart Terms