| The numbers are not pretty: every 20 seconds a | | | | *If your HDL cholesterol is 60 mg/dL or higher, subtract |
| person in the US suffers from a heart attack. Every | | | | 1 from your total count. |
| 34 seconds, someone in the U.S. DIES from a heart | | | | Even though obesity and physical inactivity are not |
| attack. Over 2500 Americans die EVERY DAY from | | | | counted in this list, they are conditions that need to be |
| heart disease. Follow these steps to help determine | | | | corrected. Step 2 |
| your risk for developing heart disease. | | | | How many major risk factors do you have? If you |
| In general, the higher your LDL level and the more risk | | | | have 2 or more risk factors in the list on the previous |
| factors you have (other than LDL), the greater your | | | | page, use the risk scoring tables (which include your |
| chances of developing heart disease or having a heart | | | | cholesterol levels) to find your risk score. Risk score |
| attack. Some people are at high risk for a heart attack | | | | refers to the chance of having a heart attack in the |
| because they already have heart disease. Other | | | | next 10 years, given as a percentage. (use the |
| people are at high risk for developing heart disease | | | | Framingham Point Scores) |
| because they have diabetes (which is a string risk | | | | My 10-year risk score is %. Step3 |
| factor) or a combination or risk of risk factors for | | | | Use your medical history, number of risk factors, and |
| heart disease. Follow these steps to find out your risk | | | | risk score to find your risk of developing heart disease |
| for developing heart disease. Step 1: | | | | or having a heart attack from the numbers below: |
| Check the list below to see how many of the listed | | | | If You Have: |
| risk factors your have. Major risk factors that affect | | | | - Heart disease, diabetes, or risk score more than |
| your LDL goal: | | | | 20%* - You Are in a HIGH RISK category |
| - Cigarette smoking | | | | - 2 or more risk factors and risk score 10-20% - You |
| - High blood pressure (140/90 mmHg or higher on blood | | | | Are in the NEXT HIGHEST RISK category |
| pressure medication) | | | | - 2 or more risk factors and risk score less than 10% - |
| - Low HDL cholesterol (less than 40 mg)* | | | | You Are in the MODERATE RISK category |
| - Family history of early heart disease (heart disease in | | | | - 0 or 1 risk factor - You Are in the |
| father or brother before age 55; heart disease in | | | | LOW-TO-MODERATE category |
| mother or sister before age 65) | | | | *Means that more than 20 of 100 people in this |
| - Age (men 45 years or older; women 55 years or | | | | category will have a heart attack within 10 years. |
| older) | | | | My risk category is. |