RISK FACTOR ASSESSMENT SHEET

RISK FACTORS FOR HEART/CIRCULATORY DISEASE

Risk factors you cannot change Describe how these apply to you

Family history

The tendency for heart disease can be inherited. Do you have any close relatives i.e. parents, grand parents, brothers or sisters who have had angina or heart attacks?

Your age and sex

The older you are the more likely you are to have angina or a heart attack. Men between the ages of 35 and 55 have a much greater risk than women of the same age. After the age of 55, women catch up to the same risk level as men. / MALE / FEMALE
AGE
Risk factors that can be controlled / Describe how these apply to you

High blood pressure

Having high blood pressure increases the amount of work your heart has to do. Blood pressure can usually be controlled with the proper treatment. Are you known to have high blood pressure? When did you last have your blood pressure checked? / BLOOD PRESSURE TODAY
/

Diabetes

People who have diabetes have an increased risk of developing heart disease. It is important that diabetics have good control of their weight and sugar levels to reduce this risk. Do you have diabetes? Have you ever had a glucose check?

Risk factors you can change Describe how these apply to you

Cigarette smoking

Smoking dramatically increases the risk of developing heart disease. Tobacco is packed with poisons that can damage your heart and blood vessels.
Do you smoke? Have you ever smoked? When did you stop?

Diet

It is recommended that everyone should eat a diet that is high in fibre, low in fat, sugar and salt and includes oily fish and at least 5 portions of fruit and vegetables.
Do you eat a balanced diet?

Raised cholesterol levels

Eating foods high in animal fat can raise cholesterol levels. The way food is cooked can also affect levels
of cholesterol.
Do you eat a healthy diet?

Lack of exercise

People who exercise regularly have a lower risk of heart disease than people who do not.
How often do you exercise? What type of exercise do you take?

Being overweight

If you are overweight, your heart has to work harder to pump blood to the extra area of your body.
How much do you weigh? / HEIGHT
WEIGHT
BMI
WC

Stress

People who have heart attacks believe very strongly that it happens because of stress.
It is recognised that this is a risk factor.
Do you have any stresses in your life?
How do you relax?

Alcohol

Taking more than the recommended maximum limits of alcohol can elevate your blood pressure and contributes towards obesity.
Recommended limits
Men – up to 21 units/week
Women - up to 14 units/week
How much do you drink per week? / UNITS ALCOHOL PER WEEK