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Heart CareYour Health Alert
Week 2

 

          In our land of milk and honey, and fried foods and pizza, I think everyone is at risk for a heart attack or stroke until proven otherwise.  It is well known that things like high cholesterol, obesity, hypertension, a family history of heart disease or stroke and diabetes give you a higher chance of having a heart attack or stroke.  But, did you know that half of the people with heart attacks have “normal” cholesterol? 

          Some of these factors are a little vague, and others vary greatly depending on how far over the limit you are.  For example, how much risk does a high blood pressure carry?  If your blood pressure is just 130/90, your risk doubles.  What constitutes a family history?  If your mom or dad has had a heart attack, stent, bypass surgery or a stroke, your risk increases by 299%.  But, did you know the risk is even higher if your brother or sister had one? 

          The National Institute of Health studied what scientifically predicts heart attacks and strokes.  They found nine things which they listed in order, and LDL cholesterol, something that is generally considered a common predictor of heart problems, was not even on the list. 

          So, what are some of the most dangerous risk factors?  Stress, depression or anxiety increase your risk by 267%.  Diabetes increases risk by 237% and abdominal obesity raises risk 162%.
         But how about these lesser known risk factors?  Migraine headaches increase the risk 122% for men, and 172% for women.  Sleep apnea will raise your risk by 317%.  And osteoporosis elevates your risk by 558%. 

         There are also other conditions not widely known by the public, or even the medical community.  Take the test, and find out, where do you stand?  (Check all that apply)


  1. Family history – Parents
  2. Family history – Siblings
  3. Psychosocial issues like Stress, Depression or Anxiety
  4. Sleep Apnea
  5. Migraine Headaches
  6. Restless Leg Syndrome
  7. Men over age 40
  8. Women over age 45
  9. Erectile Dysfunction
  10. Abdominal Obesity
  11. High Blood Pressure
  12. High Cholesterol
  1. Low HDL (“good”) cholesterol
  2. High Triglycerides
  3. Periodontal (Gum) Disease
  4. Polycystic Ovaries
  5. Gout
  6. Lupus
  7. Psoriasis
  8. Osteoporosis
  9. Peripheral Vascular Disease
  10. Previous Heart Attack
  11. Previous Stroke
  12. Insulin Resistance
  13. Diabetes

(If you checked any of the above risk factors, we advise making an appointment) 

          Discovering your individual risk factors is just the first step in determining how likely you are to suffer heart disease or stroke.  If you think you are at risk, then some testing needs to be done.  While there are many tests available, it’s important that you get the right test.  I will cover that in detail over the next few weeks.  But next week, I will tell you about the most common test, and why it misses heart disease over 68% of the time. 

 

Joe Turnbow, M.D.

  
Heart Attack Prevention Boulder, co 

Copyright 2008, Heart Attack Prevention Strategies P.C.  All rights reserved.