Assess Your Risk for Heart Disease


Risk Factors You Can't Control
Increasing age --  The older you get, the more likely you are to have a heart attack; for men over 45 and women over 55, the risk of heart disease is three to four times higher

Family history -- Your risk of heart disease increases if a close member of your family has a history of heart disease

Gender -- Men have a greater risk of a heart attack then women, and they tend to have them at a younger age
 

Risk Factors You Can Control
Smoking --  People who smoke have a much higher risk of having a heart attack and developing heart disease; as soon as you stop smoking, your risk of heart disease starts to drop. In time, your risk may be about the same as if you’d never smoked

High Blood Pressure -- The higher your blood pressure, the greater your risk of developing heart disease; a blood pressure greater than 140/90 is classified as high blood pressure; high blood pressure makes the heart work harder and can potentially damage your coronary arteries

High Cholesterol Level --  Cholesterol is a white, waxy fat found naturally in your body and is used to make cell walls and certain hormones; too much of it can build up on the walls of the arteries and eventually block the flow of blood to the heart; for this reason, high cholesterol is a leading risk factor for heart disease

Being Overweight and Obesity --  People who have excess body fat are more likely to develop heart disease; the good news is that even a modest weight loss of 10-20 pounds can help lower your risk of heart disease

Diabetes --  A person with diabetes has a greater risk of developing heart disease; even when the blood glucose levels are controlled, diabetes increases a persons risk of heart disease; people with diabetes tend to have high blood pressure, high cholesterol and are usually overweight, increasing their risk even more

Physical Inactivity -- A sedentary lifestyle is a risk factor for heart disease; regular, moderate-to-vigorous physical activity helps to reduce your risk of heart disease and heart attack; it can help lower blood pressure as well as help you control your blood cholesterol and weight

 
Risk Assessment
Please take five minutes to read and answer these easy-to-complete questions about your health and lifestyle that will help assess your risk for heart disease. Read each question and check the correct response. This assessment does not replace a complete physical. If you are experiencing any symptoms, please call your physician.
 
1. Your age: MEN
Less than 35
35-39
40-48
49-53
54 plus

Your age: WOMEN
Less than 42
42-44
45-54
55-73
74 plus
   
2. Family History --  My family has a history of heart disease or heart attack before the age of 60
Yes No
   
3. Active Lifestyle --  I exercise three or more times a week; physical activity includes things such as biking, walking and housework
Yes No
   
4. Body Mass Index -- Look at the body mass index chart and find your height and weight. Then determine your body mass index

BMI

My body mass index is greater than 25
Yes No
   
5. Smoking --  I am a smoker
Yes No
   
6. Diabetes --  I have diabetes
Male Yes No

Female Yes No
   
7. Total Cholesterol
Less than 200mg/dl
200-239 mg/dl
Greater than 240 mg/dl
   
8. HDL Level -- good cholesterol
Greater than 60 mg/dl
40-59 mg/dl
30-39 mg/dl
Less than 30 mg/dl
   
9. Blood Pressure -- I do not take blood pressure medicine and my blood pressure usually is -- use your top or higher blood pressure number
Less than 120 mmHg
120-139 mmHg
Greater than 140 mmHg
   
10. I am currently taking blood pressure medication
Yes No
   
In order for this Health Risk Assessment tool to calculate your score as designed, you must ACCURATELY and FULLY complete ALL of the questions.
 


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