cardiovascular disease

Cardiovascular Disease which includes coronary heart disease (CHD), claims the lives of more than 500,000 women in the United States every year. That is 12 times more than breast cancer and twice as many as all form of cancer combined.

If you are over the age of 20, do you have your cholesterol checked every 5 years as recommended by clinical guidelines?______________________________________________
Has your cholesterol been checked recently?_____________________________________________
Do you already have coronary heart disease (CHD)--for example, have you had a heart attack, suffered from chest pains (angina), or experienced leg swelling (also known as peripheral vascular disease)?_________________________
CHD RISK FACTORS:
Are you 55 years old or older and/or prematurely menopausal?	Yes____ No_____
Has your father or brother suffered a heart attack, stroke, or angina before age 55, or your mother or sister before age 65?	Yes____ No_____
Do you have high blood pressure (whether or not you are currently receiving treatment)?	Yes____ No_____
Do you have diabetes (whether or not you are currently receiving treatment)?	Yes____ No_____
Are you a smoker?	Yes____ No____
Is your HDL ("good") cholesterol less than 45 mg/dL?* (If your HDL is equal to or higher than 60 mg/dL, subtract 1 from you total number of "yes" answers.)	Yes____ No_____
The number of "yes" answers equals the number of CHD risk factors.	#Yes___

CHD RISK FACTOR	Desired LDL "bad" Cholesterol Level
I have CHD or diabetes.	My LDL cholesterol should be less than or equal to 100 mg/dL
I have 2 or more risk factors and no CHD.	My LDL cholesterol should be less than 130 mg/dL.
I have fewer than 2 risk factors and no CHD.	My LDL cholesterol should be less than 160 mg/dL.

The guidelines for treatment of LDL ("bad") cholesterol depend on the number of CHD risk factors you have checked and whether or not you have CHD. Please consult with your physician for information regarding your risk factors and treatment.