Get the facts
Having a basic understanding of your heart and how it functions is your first step in helping to protect it against heart disease.
The good news is that heart disease is largely preventable. One of the most important things you can do is talk to your doctor about your risk of heart disease. Make an appointment with your doctor to have your risk factors measured – whether or not you think anything is wrong with you.
Your doctor can measure your overall risk of getting heart disease and recommend tests if they are appropriate for you. If you know your family’s heart health history, tell your doctor. And be open about your lifestyle – tell your doctor if you smoke or drink, what kinds of food you eat and how much physical activity you do. This information will help your doctor to measure your risk properly so that they can give you the right advice and treatment to reduce your risk of getting heart disease.