Questions About Obesity What is a Body Mass Index (BMI) and what range is healthy for me? At what weight would I be considered overweight or obese? How can I reach or maintain a healthy weight? What is a heart healthy way to eat? What kind of physical activity should I do? Questions About Smoking How does smoking affect my heart health? How can I quit smoking? How can I avoid possible weight gain after I quit smoking? Questions About Diabetes What is diabetes and how may it affect my heart health? What are the risk factors for diabetes? Diabetes runs in my family. How can I prevent it? I have diabetes. How can I control it? I have diabetes, and I know that increases my risk of heart disease and stroke. Should I be on a statin, an ACE inhibitor and/or aspirin, in addition to following a healthier lifestyle? Physical Inactivity How much physical activity should I engage in to decrease my risk of heart disease or congestive heart failure? What can I do to increase my physical activity levels? Risk Would you assess my risk for heart disease based on the risk factors mentioned above? Could we use the Framingham 10-year risk score? If I am at intermediate or high risk for heart disease or congestive heart failure, are medicines for blood pressure control, cholesterol control and aspirin appropriate for me? Family History Does my family history of heart disease and stroke put me at increased risk for these diseases? Heart Attack & Stroke What is a heart attack? What is a stroke? What are my risk factors for heart attack and stroke? How would I know if I am having a heart attack or stroke? What should I do if I think I’m having a heart attack or stroke? |