What are the Risk Factors?

Smoking

• You smoke
• You live or work with someone who smokes everyday

Blood Pressure

• Your blood pressure is over 120/80 (pre-hypertension)
• Your blood pressure is over 140/90 or higher (hypertension)

Cholesterol Levels

• Your total cholesterol is greater than 190 mg/dl
• Your triglycerides are greater than 150 mg/dl
• Your HDL ‘good cholesterol’ is less than 60 mg/dl
• Your LDL ‘bad cholesterol’ is greater than 100 mg/dl

Diabetes

• You have a fasting blood sugar (glucose) of 100 mg/dl or greater
• You need medicine to control your blood sugar

Body Weight/Composition

• Your body mass index is greater than 25
• Your waist circumference is greater than 35 inches
• Your are apple shaped (carry weight in abdominal area)

Physical Activity

• You get less than 2.5 hours of physical exercise per week

Menopause

• You experienced premature menopause

Family History

• Your immediate family member experienced a heart attack before the age of 55

Metabolic Syndrome

You have a cluster of three (3) or more of the following:

• Waist circumference greater than 35 inches
• Triglyceride level of greater than 150 mg/dl
• HDL ‘good cholesterol’ less than 50 mg/dl
• Blood pressure greater than 130/85 mmHg
• Fasting blood sugar (glucose) greater than 100 mg/dl

Source: Muriel I. Kauffman Women's Heart Center.