While comprehensive testing at the Heart Attack & Stroke Prevention Center will give you the most precise assessment of your level of risk, there are a number of red flags we look for, such as:

• personal or family history of cardiovascular disease
• personal or family history of heart attacks, strokes, or Type 2 diabetes
• elevated cholesterol
• nicotine use in any form and/or secondary exposure
• psychosocial issues such as depression, anxiety, or stress
• diabetes (risk factor for heart attack and stroke)
• gestational diabetes
• high blood pressure
• abdominal obesity
• sleep problems
• age (over 40 for men and over 50 for women)
• gum disease
• erectile dysfunction
• rheumatoid arthritis
• lupus
• psoriasis
• migraine headaches
• gout
• polycystic ovaries
• hirsutism (facial hair growth in women)
• oligomenorrhea (changes in menstrual cycles)
• Hispanic or African-American descent
• osteoporosis
• Pre-eclampsia
• Breast cancer treatment