How to Calculate Cardiac Risk

Cardiovascular disease is the No. 1 killer of both men and women in the United States. Cardiac risk is determined by many factors, some uncontrollable and others controllable. Uncontrollable factors are part of an individual's DNA or family history and cannot be changed. However, the majority of risk factors are related to medical conditions and lifestyle. Individuals who have a family history of heart disease coupled with one or more controllable risk factors are especially at risk of heart disease. Taking simple steps such as maintaining a normal weight, eating a healthy diet and exercising three to five times a week can greatly reduce the risk of heart disease.

Things You'll Need

• A healthy, balanced diet
• Gym, at-home exercise equipment or walking shoes
• Yearly medical check-ups and lab-work

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Instructions

How to Calculate Cardiac Risk

• 1

  Assess uncontrollable factors. Males, individuals over 55 years of age, those with a family history of heart disease and those who carry their weight in their midsection are especially prone to heart disease. Family history in particular is a major predictor of future cardiac risk.

• 2

  Assess medical factors. High blood cholesterol, diabetes, obesity and high blood pressure play a big role in increasing a person's cardiac risk. The more medical conditions an individual has, the higher their cardiac risk.

• 3

  Assess lifestyle factors. A sedentary lifestyle and an unhealthy diet high in fat, simple carbohydrates and sugars both play a part in increasing cardiac risk. Stress and anger are other factors. Smoking, in particular increases an individual's cardiac risk because it raises blood pressure, which can lead to stroke.
  Fitness instructors, nutritionists and therapists can help people alter lifestyle choices that put them at higher risk for cardiovascular disorders.

• 4

  Know that the more risk factors you have, the higher your likelihood of suffering heart disease is.
  A yearly physical exam and lab-work are essential to monitoring cardiovascular health, especially for people with uncontrollable risk factors. People with a family history of heart disease should report any unusual cardiac symptoms to their physician, especially if their risk is increased by a medical condition.