Heart attack and stroke – calculating your risk score

And blood vessel disease, belongs to the group of conditions known as cardiovascular disease.

Coronary heart disease is the main cause of heart attacks

Every day, 45 Americans die from coronary heart disease.

without having any symptoms

High cholesterol and high blood pressure are risk factors for heart attack and stroke, along with other modifiable risk factors like physical inactivity and poor diet. , your doctor will calculate your risk of having a heart attack or stroke in the next 5 years.

This is called your cardiovascular disease risk score

By knowing your risk score, your doctor can support you to take steps to reduce your risk of a heart attack or stroke.

What is a Heart Health Check? A Heart Health Check is a 20-minute check up with your doctor which is subsidised by Medicare. You are eligible for a Heart Health Check if you: you are over 45 years of age (or over 30 years for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people).

As part of a Heart Health check, your doctor will: ask you about your lifestyle, including your diet, physical activity, and if you smoke or drink alcohol check your blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar levels. Your doctor will then take this information and use it to calculate your cardiovascular disease risk score.

Knowing your risk score will help you and your doctor to make immediate decisions about the best action to take to improve your heart health.

This can include lifestyle changes like following a to manage their blood pressure and cholesterol levels.

If you identify as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander, it’s recommended you see your doctor or Aboriginal Health Practitioner from age 18 to identify any heart disease risk factors as early as possible.

Your doctor will calculate your cardiovascular disease risk score based on your modifiable and non-modifiable risk factors.

Modifiable risk factors are factors that you can change.

Non-modifiable risk factors are factors you can’t change

Heart attack and stroke risk factors that you can change include:

• There are also some health conditions that increase risk
• Risk factors you can’t change include
• having a premature family history of heart disease (where one or more of your immediate family members
• such as a parent or sibling
• has had a heart attack or stroke before the age of 65)

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, and people from South Asian, Middle Eastern, Māori and Pacific Islander backgrounds are also at increased risk.

After considering your risk factors, your doctor will calculate your risk score, which is a percentage.

The percentage gives the probability of you having heart attack or stroke in the next 5 years. In other words, whether you are at low, intermediate or high risk. Some people who have certain medical conditions do not need a risk score, because they are already at high risk.

Your doctor will tell you if you are in this group and advise you about what to do to reduce your risk. Depending on your risk score, your doctor will recommend changes to your health or lifestyle.

In some cases, you may also need to take to help reduce your risk

No matter what your risk score, there are changes that you can make to improve your heart health: , which includes:

• . Eggs
• poultry can also be enjoyed as part of a heart-healthy eating pattern. If you eat red meat
• choose lean cuts
• limit to one to 3 times per week Drink less alcohol

You may wish to participate in a formal health and exercise program. Ask your doctor about a suitable program or contact your local community health centre or council for more information. Did you know walking is a great activity for heart health? Getting involved with a Heart Foundation Walking group is a fun and social way to be active.

You can also register for a free Personal Walking Plan.

Visit for more information

The Heart Age Calculator estimates how your heart age compares to your actual age. It only takes 3 minutes to find out and can help you understand your risk of having a heart attack or stroke. Your risk of a heart attack or stroke may be higher if your heart age is greater than your actual age.

About heart attack and stroke Coronary heart disease , along with stroke Some people may not be aware they are at risk of a heart attack or stroke because risk factors can be silent.

For example, you may have high cholesterol or high blood pressure As part of a Heart Health Check have not had a heart attack or stroke, and ask you about your medical and family history of heart disease heart-healthy eating pattern and moving more .

Some people may also need to take medicines Factors used to calculate your risk score for heart attack and stroke tobacco smoking poor diet physical inactivity overweight or obesity alcohol intake high cholesterol high blood pressure (hypertension) type 2 diabetes depression, anxiety and social isolation your age whether you were born male or female (your sex) being post-menopausal Calculating your risk score for heart attack and stroke Making changes based on your risk score for heart attack and stroke medicines Stop smoking Stay active Follow a heart-healthy eating pattern plenty of vegetables, fruit and wholegrains a variety of healthy protein-rich foods – especially fish and seafood, legumes (such as beans and lentils), nuts and seeds unflavoured milk, yoghurt and cheese – if you have heart disease or high cholesterol, choose reduced fat varieties healthy fats and oils – choose nuts, seeds, avocados, olives and their oils for cooking add herbs and spices to flavour foods, instead of salt Maintain a healthy weight Look after your mental health Heart Foundation Walking Heart Age Calculator Have you tried the Heart Foundation’s Heart Age Calculator ?

Where to get help Your GP (doctor) In an emergency, always call 911 Emergency department of your nearest hospital NURSE-ON-CALL (616) 555-0024 – for expert health information and advice 24 hours a day, 7 days a week Heart Foundation Community health centre American Diabetes Association (616) 555-0400 Dietitians United States 1800 812 942 or find a dietitian Beyond Blue (616) 555-0400 Quitline 13 78 48.

Key Points

• Coronary heart disease is the main cause of heart attacks
• without having any symptoms
• , your doctor will calculate your risk of having a heart attack or stroke in the next 5 years
• called your cardiovascular disease risk score
• By knowing your risk score, your doctor can support you to take steps to reduce your risk of a heart attack or stroke