Risk Factors for Cardiovascular Disease
While comprehensive testing at the Heart Attack & Stroke Prevention Center will give you the most precise assessment of your level of risk, there area number of known risk factors for cardiovascular disease — “red flags” — that may indicate an increased risk of heart attack, stroke, or diabetes:
- personal or family history of cardiovascular disease
- personal or family history of heart attack, stroke, or Type 2 diabetes
- diabetes (risk factor for heart attack and stroke)
- gestational diabetes
- elevated cholesterol
- nicotine use in any form
- secondary exposure to nicotine use (such as second-hand smoke)
- psychosocial issues such as depression, anxiety, or stress
- high blood pressure
- abdominal obesity
- sleep problems
- age (men over 40 and women over 50)
- gum disease
- erectile dysfunction
- rheumatoid arthritis
- lupus
- psoriasis
- migraine headaches
- gout
- polycystic ovaries
- hirsutism (facial hair growth in women)
- oligomenorrhea (changes in menstrual cycles)
- Hispanic or African-American descent
- osteoporosis
- pre-eclampsia
- breast cancer treatment
Any combination of these risk factors for cardiovascular disease may indicate increased risk for heart attack, stroke or diabetes. If you would like a more thorough evaluation of your risk or level of disease, please contact us.
