Interactive Tool: Are You At Risk For A Heart Attack?: What Does Your Score Mean
Content provided by Healthwise
What does your score mean?
Your score will appear in values from 1% to 99%. If your score is 5%, it means that 5 out of 100 people with this level of risk will have a heart attack in the next 10 years. If your score is 10%, it means that 10 out of 100 people with this level of risk will have a heart attack in the next 10 years.
Your doctor uses your risk score to help decide whether you need treatment to lower your risk for heart attack. Based on your risk, your doctor will likely suggest that you follow a healthy lifestyle, such as eating healthy and being active. Your doctor will also use your risk score to decide whether you need to take medicines. Your doctor may prescribe:
- Cholesterol medicine called statins. Treatment for high cholesterol depends on your risk for a heart attack.
- High blood pressure medicine.
- Low-dose aspirin therapy.
| Last updated: | October 21, 2008 |
|---|---|
| Author: | Robin Parks, MS |
| Reviewed By: | Caroline S. Rhoads, MD - Internal Medicine, Robert A. Kloner, MD, PhD - Cardiology |
| Editors: | Kathleen M. Ariss, MS, Pat Truman, MATC |
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