Have you already received a diagnosis of heart disease, or had a heart attack or angina? Does your doctor feel that you are at higher risk of heart trouble than the general public? The chart below lists the most common things that can further increase your risk of future heart problems, and some things you can do to lower your risk. Bear in mind that these goals are for those who do have a history, and are stricter than those for the general public.
| Cardiac Risk Factors |
Goal |
What You Can Do
To Lower Your Risk |
| Smoking / Tobacco Use |
Complete cessation |
- Do not smoke or use tobacco and avoid situations where smoking occurs.
- Talk to your doctor about medications to help you stop smoking.
- Enroll in our Quit Smart Stop Smoking Program by calling 1-888-357-2396.
|
| High Cholesterol |
Total cholesterol less than 200 mg/dl
LDL (bad cholesterol) less than 100 mg/dl
HDL (good cholesterol) greater than 35 mg/dl
Triglyceride less than 200 mg/dl |
- Review your cholesterol levels with your doctor.
- Follow a low saturated fat and low cholesterol diet and lose weight if needed.
- Call the Healthy Heart Program (formerly Outpatient Cardiac Rehab) at (203) 384-3803 for information from our registered dietitian.
- Take your cholesterol lowering medication as directed by your doctor.
- If your levels are not at goal and you are not already taking a cholesterol lowering medication, talk to your doctor to learn more about the benefits of these medicines and if they are right for you.
- Enroll in either the Healthy Heart Program (formerly Outpatient Cardiac Rehab) or Project Heart Smart by calling (203) 384-3803 to learn how to manage your cholesterol.
|
| Diabetes |
Blood sugar level:
before meals (70-125 mg/dl),
bedtime (100-150 mg/dl) |
- Maintain your blood sugar by taking your medications, following your special diet and exercising as directed. Monitor your blood sugars as directed by your physician.
- Call your doctor if your blood sugars are below 70 or over 250.
|
| Overweight |
Reach or maintain ideal body weight |
|
| High Blood Pressure |
Less than 140/90 mm Hg
(If you have diabetes: 130-85 mm Hg) |
- Lower your blood pressure by losing weight, exercising more and eating foods with less sodium. If you need help with this call (203) 384-3803 to enroll in either Cardiac Rehabilitation (covered by most insurance plans) or Project Heart Smart.
- Monitor your blood pressure and take your medications as directed by your doctor.
|
| Menopause |
Consider estrogen replacement |
- Talk with your doctor to discuss the benefits of estrogen therapy and if it is right for you.
|
| Coronary Artery Disease |
Avoid future heart problems |
As well as the steps listed above, your doctor may prescribe one or more of the following medications to lower your risk of future heart problems:
|
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