Cardiovascular Disease Risk Factors

Risk factors are conditions or behaviors that increase your likelihood of developing a disease. When you have more than one risk factor for cardiovascular disease (including heart disease and stroke), your risk greatly multiplies.

What's your risk?

• Do you smoke?  
• Is your blood pressure 140/90 mmHg or higher OR have you been told by your doctor that your blood pressure is too high?  
• Has your doctor told you that your total cholesterol level is 200 mg/dL or higher, OR your HDL (good cholesterol) is less than 40 mg/dL?  
• Has your father or brother had a heart attack before age 55 OR has your mother or sister had one before age 65? 
• Do you have diabetes OR a fasting blood sugar of 126, OR do you need medicine to control your blood sugar?  
• Are you over 55 years old?  
• Do you have a body mass index (BMI) score of 25 or more?  
• Do you get less than a total of 30 minutes of physical activity on most days?  
• Has a doctor told you that you have angina (chest pains), OR have you had a heart attack?  

If you answered yes to any of these questions, you’re at an increased risk of having a heart attack. Contact your doctor or healthcare professional to find out how you can lower your risk.