Other risk factors for heart disease that you can control are high blood pressure, cigarette smoking, being overweight and not exercising. Heart disease risk factors that you cannot control include diabetes, being male, or having a family history of heart disease. The National Cholesterol Education Program recommends that all adults age 20 and over have their cholesterol measured. If you have concerns about your result, it is best to call your doctor. Any one cholesterol reading is never final because cholesterol can change from day to day and in response to several factors, such as weight loss, illness or stress.
Cholesterol is a risk factor that can be controlled.
Many studies show that cholesterol is a risk factor that may be lowered by exercise and diet. Other factors that you can control include high blood pressure, cigarette smoking, being overweight and lack of exercise. Any decisions about your risk factors for heart disease should not be made until you have had an exam by your doctor. In fact, a number of doctors use this same test in their offices. Wash hands in warm water.