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Your Risk of Heart and Vascular Disease HF#5817

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Factors You Can Change

Smoking Tobacco Use	Smoking makes the blood clot more easily and causes arteries to tighten. This creates extra work for the heart. Avoid exposure to all tobacco containing products, including second-hand smoke.
Blood pressure: _________ mmHg	You are at higher risk of heart disease and stroke if the top number is more than 140 mmHg and the bottom number is more than 90 mmHg. Try to keep your resting blood pressure below 120/80 mmHg.
Cholesterol (lipid) levels Total _________ mg/dL Triglycerides "fat" _____ mg/dL HDL "good" _____ mg/dL LDL "bad" _____ mg/dL	Higher lipid levels cause faster build up of blockages in the heart, neck, and leg arteries. Most important is to keep your cholesterol less than 160, triglycerides less than 1o0, HDL more than 45 (men) or 55 (women), and LDL less than 100. If you have diabetes, smoke cigarettes, or have heart disease, aim to keep you LDL less than 70.
Weight: _____	More weight means more work for your heart. This can also lead to high blood pressure, diabetes, and heart failure.
Job or family stress	Stress can make your heart work harder. Learn to manage your stress. Ask for help if needed.
Diabetes Your A1C result ______%	Uncontrolled diabetes greatly increases the risk of heart disease, blindness, kidney failure, and nerve pain.. The goal for an A1C is 7.0% or less.
Sedentary lifestyle	Regular aerobic exercise lowers your risk. The goal is to perform at least 150 minutes of aerobic exercise per week.

Factors You Cannot Change

Age: _____	Your risk increases, as you get older.
Family history	Even though you cannot change your genetic makeup, you can reduce your risk by adopting healthier lifestyle habits.

How You Can Lower the Risk

Smoking: Quit now! The benefits occur right away. There are many resources to help you. Call 1-800-QUIT-NOW (1-800-784-8669) for more information.
High Blood Pressure: Take your medicines as prescribed. Lose weight. Reduce your salt, caffeine and alcohol intake. Get regular exercise.
High Blood Lipids: Take your medicines as prescribed. Reduce the amount of saturated fats and cholesterol in your diet. Eat a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Lose weight and get regular exercise. Talk with your doctor about how often you should get your cholesterol checked.
Overweight: Reduce the amount of calories, sugar, saturated and trans- fat you eat. Increase your daily activity. Read nutritional labels.
Overstressed: Manage your stress. Take time to learn about ways you can relax and use your time more wisely. Talk with others about your feelings. Exercise.
Diabetes: People with diabetes should practice healthy eating habits and get daily exercise. This can help your body to use insulin and lower your blood sugar levels.
Inactive Lifestyle: Begin an aerobic exercise program. Walk more. Use the stairs. Park in the farthest spacefrom the store. Maintain healthy heart habits.

My Personal Plan for Lowering the Risk of Heart Disease

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The information provided should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed physician should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.

Last Updated: 06/10/2011

Copyright © 06/10/2011 University of Wisconsin Hospitals and Clinics Authority. All rights reserved. Produced by the Department of Nursing. HF#5817

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