View Article

Family Health

Questions to Ask Your Doctor about Heart Health
By: Family First Staff
Printer Friendly Version

This article is based on information from the American Heart Association (AHA). AHA is encouraging women to take charge of their heart health through its Go Red for Women campaign.

Unfortunately, many women underestimate the severity of heart disease. However, heart disease is the number one killer of women in America. In fact, one in five women has some form of cardiovascular disease. So make the lifestyle changes necessary for a healthier heart -- eat right, exercise and set up regular checkups with your doctor.

While visiting with your doctor, talk about ways you can improve your heart health and how to combat any risk factors you may have.

The AHA has provided a list of questions that women should ask their doctor about heart disease and stroke:

Cholesterol

• What is cholesterol and how may it affect my health?

• What is a healthy cholesterol level and how can I reach or maintain a healthy level?

• What is my HDL ("good") level, my LDL ("bad") level and my total cholesterol level?

• What is my trigylceride level?

• How often should I have my cholesterol checked?

High Blood Pressure

• What is high blood pressure and how may it affect my health?

• What is a healthy blood pressure and how can I reach and maintain a healthy level?

• What is my blood pressure?

• How often should I have my blood pressure checked?

Obesity

• What is Body Mass Index (BMI) and what range is healthy for me?

• At what weight would I be considered overweight?  

• How can I reach or maintain a healthy weight?

Smoking

• How does smoking affect my heart health?

• How can I quit smoking?

• How can I avoid possible weight gain after I quit smoking?

Diabetes

• What is diabetes and how may it affect my heart health?

• What are the risk factors for diabetes?

• Diabetes runs in my family.  How can I prevent it?

• I have diabetes.  How can I control it?

Physical Activity

• How much physical activity should I engage in?

• What can I do to increase my physical activity levels?

Family History 

• How does my family history of heart disease and stroke put me at increased risk for these diseases?

Heart Attack and Stroke

• What is a heart attack?

• What is a stroke?

• What are my risk factors for heart attack and stroke?

• How would I know if I am having a heart attack or stroke?

• What should I do if I think I'm having a heart attack or stroke?

Source:

American Heart Association's "Go Red for Women" Campaign