While comprehensive testing at the Heart Attack & Stroke Prevention Center of Vero Beach will give you the most precise assessment of your level of risk, there are a number of known risk factors for cardiovascular disease — “red flags” — that may indicate an increased risk of heart attack, stroke, or diabetes:
- personal or family history of cardiovascular disease
- personal or family history of heart attack, stroke, or Type 2 diabetes
- diabetes (risk factor for heart attack and stroke)
- gestational diabetes
- elevated cholesterol
- nicotine use in any form
- secondary exposure to nicotine use (such as second-hand smoke)
- psychosocial issues such as depression, anxiety, or stress
- high blood pressure
- abdominal obesity
- sleep problems
- age (men over 40 and women over 50)
- gum disease
- erectile dysfunction
- rheumatoid arthritis
- lupus
- psoriasis
- migraine headaches
- gout
- polycystic ovaries
- hirsutism (facial hair growth in women)
- oligomenorrhea (changes in menstrual cycles)
- Hispanic or African-American descent
- osteoporosis
- pre-eclampsia
- breast cancer treatment
How to address risk factors for cardiovascular disease
Any combination of these risk factors for cardiovascular disease may indicate increased risk for heart attack, stroke or diabetes. If you would like a more thorough evaluation of your risk or level of disease, please contact us.
