What’s Your Risk For Disease? -

Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States. Put simply, it occurs when the major blood vessels that supply your heart with blood become damaged or diseased. Heart disease is typically due to a gradual buildup of plaque inside these blood vessels. This buildup can restrict adequate blood flow and in some cases, stop blood flow altogether. Because heart disease is such a serious health risk, you should know if you are at risk for having the disease.

As a personal trainer, I conduct a heart disease screening for each individual I work with. This simple test, comprised of eight categories, provides an assessment of general health, helping me determine suitable exercise prescriptions for them. This test can also give you insight as to whether you should consult a doctor about your risk for disease.

Are you a male aged 45 or above, or a female aged 55 or above? (Yes = 1 pt)
Have any of your immediate relatives had a heart attack, heart/bypass surgery, or sudden death before the ages listed below? (Yes = 1 pt)
- Father / brother / son before age 55
- Mother / sister / daughter before age 65
Do you smoke? (Yes = 1 pt)
Do you participate 30 minutes or more of moderate physical activity on most days of the week? (No = 1 pt)
Is your waist size greater than 40 inches (men) or 35 inches (women), or is your body mass index (calculate it here) greater than 30? (Yes = 1 pt)
Do you have high blood pressure (greater than 140/90) or are you taking blood pressure medication? (Yes = 1 pt)
Do have high cholesterol or are you on cholesterol medication? (Yes = 1 pt)
- Have you been told you have high levels of “good” cholesterol? (Yes = subtract 1 pt)
Are you diabetic? (Yes = 1 pt)

If your point total is zero or 1, you are in the low risk category for heart disease. If you accumulated two or more points, your risk is increased. If you’re not already addressing these risk factors (through exercise or healthy lifestyle habits), consider consulting with your physician to discuss ways to improve your health and lower your risk for disease.