Vascular Improvement Program

Calculate Your Target LDL-Cholesterol Level

+1--I am male and 45 years or older. +1--I am female and 55 years or older. +1--I am female and under 55 years and with premature menopause and without estrogen replacement therapy. +1--I smoke. +1--I have a family history of early heart disease (parent or sibling younger than 55 if male; younger than 65 if female). +1--I have high blood pressure. +1--I have diabetes. +1--I have a low HDL-cholesterol of less than 35. -1--But, I have a beneficial HDL-cholesterol of 60 or greater. =Total Number of Risk Factors

Your target LDL-Cholesterol: Below 160 Below 130 At or Below 100

If less than 2 risk factors above and no coronary disease or diatetes: If 2 or more risk factors above and no coronary disease or diabetes: Coronary heart disease (defined by history of heart attack, angioplasty, or coronary artery bypass surgery) or diabetes established, regardless of risk factors:

Reminder: Your adult total cholesterol goal = 200.

A Word About Risk Factors Beyond Your Control

Age-------About 4 out of 5 who die from heart disease are 65 or older. Gender----Men are at greater risk of heart attack than women. However, in the over 65 age group, women who have heart attacks are almost twice as likely to die as a result than men. Race------African Americans, due to a tendency toward severe high blood pressure, have a higher rate of heart disease than Caucasians. Heredity---Children of parents with heart disease are more likely to develop it themselves.