Summary

Heart disease is the number one killer in the United States and in many other industrialised countries. There are many ways to calculate one's risk for Coronary Heart Disease and related problems. Typically, they involve similar factors that are computed slightly differently. They are well known to many people - high Total Cholesterol/HDL ratio (or high LDL), high blood pressure (hypertension), aging, family history, and more. If you are in a high risk group (e.g., higher than 10% in 10 years), you should consider "improving your odds". The impact of certain lifestyle changes has been well documented - stopping smoking, exercising, improving one's diet, and more. If this is insufficient (or if you have already done all you can and are still at high risk), your physician may recommend medication.

There is more information on emerging risk factors in Part II of our CHD risk tutorial.
The impact of stress on CHD is presented in our stress review.

We suggest you read our section on Statins to obtain information about this medication that is now commonly prescribed.

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