Assessing Risk for Cardiovascular Disease
Write all answers on your own paper!!
Several factors are known to contribute to cardiovascular disease. Over 23 million American have heart disease, resulting in 831,272 deaths! (2006) We can control some factors but not others. In this investigation you assess your chances of acquiring cardiovascular disease. Once you know your chances, if you wish, you can take steps in your life-style to reduce the risks of cardiovascular problems.
Procedure:
Part A. Calculation of heart safe weight
Work with a partner to make the measurements. Use a strip of paper about .5 cm wide. You may have to tape 2 pieces together to go around your calf. Take all measurements in centimeters.
1. Measure your wrist bones in centimeters at the point where the wrist bends. Measure both wrists and find the average.
Left wrist + right wrist = average
2
2. Measure both forearms and calves at their largest circumference. Calculate average for each.
3. Measure both ankles over the ankle bones. Calculate the average.
4. Add the four averages and divide by 17.07 for males or 16.89 for females.
Wrist + forearm + Calves + Ankles = quotient
17.07 (male) 16.89 (female)
5. Square the quotient, Ex. quotient x quotient = ______
6. Measure your height in centimeters
7. Multiple your height by the answer in step 5.
Height x step 5 =
8. Multiply the answer in step 7 by .0111 to obtain your heart safe weight in kilograms.
9. Weigh yourself on the scale. It is in Kilograms. Compare your real weight with the heart safe weight. Is it over, under, or equal? Record the number.
Part B- Self-Check
Directions: Read each item and score the appropriate number in the space to the right of the number.
1. ___ Statistics show that males are more likely to suffer heart attacks than females. If you are (a) male, score 1 point, or (b) female, score 0.
2. ___ Heredity can influence your chances of heart disease. If one or more of your parents, grandparents, or siblings have suffered a heart attack, you may have an inherited tendency toward this condition. If one or more of your parents, grandparents, or siblings have suffered a heart attack (a) before age 60, score 12 points, (b) after age 60, score 6 points, and (c) neither (a) nor (b), score 0.
3. ___ A person with diabetes is likely to build up fatty deposits in the arteries. If you have (a) diabetes and are now taking insulin or pills, score 10 points, (b) diabetes in your immediate family, score 5 points, or (c) no diabetes or can control it with diet, score 0.
4. ___ Smoking has been shown to contribute to cardiovascular disease. Substances inhaled during smoking damage the lining of blood vessels. If you (a) smoke 2 packs or more per day, score 10 points, (b) smoke 1-2 packs per day or quit less than a year ago, score 6 points, (c) smoke less than 1 pack per day or quit 1-10 years ago, score 3 points, (d) never smoked, score 0.
5. ___ High amounts of cholesterol in the diet can clog or narrow the arteries. This places stress on the heart and arteries. If you eat:
(a) 1 serving of red meat per day, or have more than 7 eggs per week, or use butter, whole milk, and cheese daily, or eat fast food 5 times a week (includes hamburger/fries at school, score 8 points
(b) red meat 5-6 times a week, or 4-7 eggs per week, low-fat dairy products, and some cheese, eat fast food 3 days a week, score 4 points,
(c) poultry, fish and little or no red meat, or 3 or fewer eggs per week, or use skim milk, eat fast food 1 once few times a week, score 0.
6. ___ Overweight people run a higher risk of heart disease than those not overweight. (Refer to the calculation of the difference between your heart safe weight and real weight in step 9, Part A.) If you area (a) 12 kilos overweight, score 4 points, (b) 5-12 kilos overweight, score 2 points, (c) less than 5 kilos overweight, score 0.
7. ___ Aerobic exercise is that type of activity that temporarily increases your heart rate, stimulates sweat production, and causes deep breathing (jogging, bicycling, swimming, and other activities). If you engage in aerobic exercise (a) less than once per week, score 4 points, (b) 1-2 times per week, score 2 points, (c) 3 or more times per week, score 0.
___ Total score
11. After completing the self-check, use the self-check score interpretation to determine your risk of cardiovascular disease.
Self-Check Score Interpretation
Risk of Heart Attack, Stroke,
Total Score or Cardiovascular Disease
22 pts. or more High Risk
21-12 pts. Medium Risk
11 pts. or less No Risk
Conclusion
A. Look at the risk factors that can contribute to cardiovascular disease. Write a sentence or 2 on how diet, exercise, heredity, and lifestyle is currently effecting your risk for heart disease.
B. Look at the factors listed above that (can) affect you directly. What lifestyle changes in the future can you do and are willing to do to reduce your risk factor? Write specific examples of how you can improve your cardiovascular health with diet, exercise, and lifestyle!