Could I be at risk for heart disease?

Heart disease exists on a continuum. The more risk factors you have for heart disease, the higher your risk. Major risk factors for women include:

• Cigarette smoking
• High blood pressure (140/90 or higher—or if you take high blood pressure medication)
• Low HDL “good” cholesterol levels of less than 50 mg/dL
• A family history of early heart disease (heart disease in father or brother before age 55; in mother or sister before age 65).
• Age 55 or older
• Diabetes