Risk Factors for Heart Attack and Stroke

A female friend in her 70’s recently had a heart attack. She seemed to be perfectly healthy (although previously had had open heart surgery). It happened suddenly and she’s now recovering. How scary, I thought, and what’s the possibility that I could become a statistic as well. I found a booklet that I’d previously picked up and not paid attention to called, “Are You at Risk of Heart Attack or Stroke” jointly published by the American Heart Association and the American Stroke Association. Here is the quiz.

Age and Sex . I am a man over 45 years old or I am a woman over 55 years old.

. I am a man over 45 years old or I am a woman over 55 years old. Family History . My father or brother had a heart attack before age 55; or my mother or sister had one before age 65; or my mother, father, sister, brother or grandparent had a stroke.

. My father or brother had a heart attack before age 55; or my mother or sister had one before age 65; or my mother, father, sister, brother or grandparent had a stroke. Heart Disease Medical History . I have coronary heart disease, atrial fibrillation or another heart condition(s) or I’ve had a heart attack.

. I have coronary heart disease, atrial fibrillation or another heart condition(s) or I’ve had a heart attack. Stroke Medical History . I’ve been told that I have carotid artery disease; or I’ve had a stroke or TIA (transient isclemic attack); or I have a disease of the leg arteries, a high red blood cell count or sickle cell anemia.

. I’ve been told that I have carotid artery disease; or I’ve had a stroke or TIA (transient isclemic attack); or I have a disease of the leg arteries, a high red blood cell count or sickle cell anemia. Blood Pressure . My blood pressure is 140/90 mm Hg or higher, or a health professional has said my blood pressure is too high, or I don’t know what my blood pressure is.

. My blood pressure is 140/90 mm Hg or higher, or a health professional has said my blood pressure is too high, or I don’t know what my blood pressure is. Tobacco smoke . I smoke or live or work with people who smoke regularly.

. I smoke or live or work with people who smoke regularly. Total cholesterol . My total cholesterol is 240 mg/dL or higher, or I don’t know my level.

. My total cholesterol is 240 mg/dL or higher, or I don’t know my level. HDL Cholesterol . My HDL (“good”) cholesterol is less than 40 mg/dL or I don’t know my HDL cholesterol level.

. My HDL (“good”) cholesterol is less than 40 mg/dL or I don’t know my HDL cholesterol level. Physical Activity . I get less than a total of 30 minutes of physical activity on most days.

. I get less than a total of 30 minutes of physical activity on most days. Overweight . I am 20 pounds or more overweight for my height and build.

. I am 20 pounds or more overweight for my height and build. Diabetes. I have diabetes (a fasting blood sugar of 126 mg/dL or higher), or I need medicine to control my blood sugar.

Heart disease can be a silent killer. Besides controlling what I can, I take a vitamin for circulatory health that is like the arcade game, Pac-Man. It’s Pac-Man eating the plaque in the arteries. For more information, click here. To listen, click here.

Tagged with: American Heart Association • American Stroke Association • Atrial Fibrillation • Blood Cell Count • Cell Anemia • Cholesterol • Circulatory Health • CoQ10 • Coronary Heart Disease • cq10 • Fasting Blood Sugar • Good Cholesterol • Hdl Cholesterol Level • healthy heart • Heart And Stroke • Heart Attack • Heart Condition • heart health • High Blood Pressure • High Red Blood Cell Count • Leg Arteries • Mm Hg • Open Heart Surgery • Red Blood Cell • Red Blood Cell Count • Risk Of Heart Attack • Silent Killer • Sister Brother • Tobacco Smoke

Filed under: Heart • Senior Health

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