Assessing Your Risk for a Heart Attack, Stroke, or Dementia
Research shows that almost half of otherwise ‘healthy’ American adults may have some degree of plaque already forming in their arteries, and not even know it. It's even been found to be present in 1 out of 6 otherwise healthy teenagers! While most do not realize it, events like heart attacks and strokes, as well as a significant degree of future risk for dementia, do not require large amounts of plaque to happen. One of my main professional goals is to help people prevent health disasters well before they start. Please take the questionnaire below and if your score is anything other than excellent, schedule an appointment to help further assess your level of risk and how to learn how to improve upon it.
How old are you?
Male < 55yo- 1 point
Female < 65yo- 1 point
Male at least 55yo- 4 points
Female at least 65yo- 4 points
Do you have a family history of heart attack, stroke, Alzheimer’s, or dementia?
No- 0 points
Yes- 4 points
What is your waist circumference (wrap a tape measure all the way around your body, level with your belly button)?
Female <35 in- 0 points
Male <40 in- 0 points
Female at least 35 in- 4 points
Male at least 40 in- 4 points
What is your resting pulse rate?
< 60 beats per min (BPM)- 0 points
< 75 BPM- 1 point
At least 75 BPM- 2 points
What is your blood pressure?
< 120/80- 0 points
120/80 to 139/89- 3 points
140/90 or higher- 4 points
Taking blood pressure medication- Count yourself as 3 points
What is your total cholesterol level?
< 160- 0 points
< 200- 1 point
> 200- 3 points
If taking cholesterol lowering medication- Count yourself as 3 points
What is your LDL cholesterol?
< 70- 0 points
70 to 99- 1 point
100 to 130- 3 points
> 130- 4 points
What is your triglyceride level?
< 100- 0 points
101 to 150- 1 point
> 150- 3 points
Do you have high blood sugar/diabetes?
No- 0 points
Yes, prediabetes- 3 points
Yes, diabetes- 4 points
Do you have frequent bleeding gums?
No- 0 points
Yes- 2 points
Which best describes your sleep patterns?
I sleep soundly 6-8 hrs/night- 0 points
I sleep restlessly 6-8 hrs/night- 2 points
I sleep < 6 hrs/night or more than 9 hrs/night- 3 points
Do you snore?
No- 0 points
Yes, occasionally- 1 point
Yes, frequently and loudly- 3 points
Yes, and I have sleep apnea- 4 points
Do you have rheumatoid arthritis, or any other inflammatory autoimmune disease like psoriasis, or lupus?
No- 0 points
Yes- 4 points
What is your vitamin D level?
>50- 0 points
30 to 49- 1 point
< 30- 3 points
Do you get true migraines?
No- 0 points
Yes, with no migraine aura- 2 points
Yes, with a migraine aura- 3 points
How would you characterize your ability to cope with stress?
I’m pretty laid back most of the time- 0 points
I have healthy ways to cope with stress- 1 point
Sometimes people say I seem stressed- 2 points
I feel stressed and anxious most of the time- 4 points
Do you spend 8 or more hours per day sitting?
No- 0 points
Yes- 4 points
How much exercise do you get?
At least 30min 5 to 7 days/week- 0 points
At least 30min 2 to 4 days/week- 1 point
30min once or twice a week- 2 points
I do not exercise regularly- 4 points
Do you use any type of nicotine product?
No- 0 points
Yes, but quit > 5 yrs ago- 1 point
Yes, but quite < 5 yrs ago- 2 points
No, but I am exposed to secondhand smoke regularly- 3 points
Yes- 4 points
Do you drink regular or diet soft drinks, juice, or energy drinks?
No- 0 points
Rarely- 1 point
Once a week- 2 points
More than once a week- 3 points
I eat processed/simple/refined carbohydrates/sugars:
Rarely- 0 points
1-2 times a week- 1 point
3-4 times a week- 2 points
5 times a week- 3 points
Daily- 4 points
I eat red meat/processed meat, eggs, butter and/or cheese:
Once a week or less- 0 points
1-2 times a week- 1 point
3-4 times a week- 2 points
5 times a week- 3 points
Daily- 4 points
I eat fried foods/oily processed foods:
Once a week or less- 0 points
1-2 times a week- 1 point
3-4 times a week- 2 points
5 times a week- 3 points
Daily- 4 points
Females Only: Did you experience high blood pressure, pre-eclampsia, or gestational diabetes during pregnancy?
No- 0 points
Yes- 4 points
Males and Females: Have you experienced onset of erectile dysfunction/inability to orgasm with increasing age?
No- 0 points
Yes- 4 points
What your score means
2 to 4 points- Congratulations! You’re likely doing great and your risk is likely low. Dr. Dan recommends a one time artery scan, and a simple yearly blood test to monitor your risk markers.
5 to 10 points- You have a few risk factors, and you would benefit from coming in to get a better set of risk assessment tests and to learn how to make sure you keep your heart and brain healthy as you age.
11 to 20 points- You have definite risk factors for arterial disease which can cause heart attacks, strokes, and/or dementia. Please come in for further evaluation at your earliest convenience.
21-39 points- Your risk is moderately high. Come in for further discussion and evaluation as soon as possible.
40 points or higher- You’re at high risk for a cardiovascular event soon or in the future. A comprehensive evaluation as soon as possible is strongly recommended.
Schedule an Appointment for a Virtual Consult Here
(*This questionnaire is adapted from Drs. Brad Bale and Amy Doneen)