As you can see, gauging your overall risk for cardiovascular disease is a challenging proposition, especially if you have multiple risk factors to test for and monitor. If possible, work with your doctor to manage your risks and stay on track with your goals for a heart healthy lifestyle.
Do you get a mammogram every year? That's very important. But what are you doing to check on your cardiovascular system? Depending on your risk factors, your primary care physician or cardiologist may recommend certain tests. It's always important to check your blood pressure and cholesterol, but it becomes especially important for women after menopause, even if you've never had any symptoms of cardiovascular disease.
Do you know your cholesterol levels? The current government guidelines for the ideal LDL cholesterol level is 100mg/dL or below, especially if you have risk factors such as high blood pressure, are overweight, or have a family history of heart disease. The target HDL cholesterol level is above 50 mg/dL for women. Do you know your blood pressure? Your blood pressure should not go above 140/90 mmHg for long periods of time.
If you are concerned about your risk factors and especially if you have noticed any warning signs for heart attack or stroke, seek help. Your doctor may recommend further tests and possibly refer you to a cardiologist.
Several tests may be required to determine your risk of heart disease. These tests include:
Men and women get heart disease, but how they get it and the best way to treat it may be different. Researchers are only beginning to understand some of these differences. In the WISE study, for example, researchers found that traditional diagnostic tests for heart disease may not be as reliable in women as they are in men because the nature of their disease may be different and not identified by the same tests. Stay tuned for more information as women and the medical community insist on greater enrollment of women in clinical trials.