To better identify risk, the guidelines include using a computer palm tool that can predict a person's chance of having a heart attack within 10 years, based on newly analyzed data from the landmark Framingham Heart Study. The tool calculates risk separately for men and women based on age, total cholesterol, HDL level, systolic blood pressure, treatment for high blood pressure and cigarette smoking. ATP III recommends using the tool for patients with two or more heart disease risk factors. That's important because although risk typically increases with age, the foundation for heart disease is often laid in adolescence and early adulthood. So Americans need to act now to prevent that future heart attack or heart disease itself.
Every risk factor needs to be treated.
All rights reserved. Click here to read the latest Wellness stories.