Risk Factors

Anyone can, unfortunately, develop CHD at any age – BUT there are specific risk factors that do increase our risk. 

Unmodifiable Risk Factors (things you cannot change):

• Men more likely than women 
• Post menopausal women more likely than pre-menopausal
• Older patients more likely than younger patients
• Family history of CHD (particularly at younger ages)
• Patients whose origins are from certain parts of the world may be more likely to develop CHD.

Modifiable Risk Factors (things you CAN change):

• Exercise (this can of course impact some of the other factors below)
• Diet (this can of course impact some of the other factors below)
• Lose Weight (this can of course impact some of the other factors below)
• Stop smoking
• Check cholesterol
• Check for diabetes
• Check for hypertension

These can all be done relatively simply and with the help of your local doctor and can reduce your risk by nearly 50% chance of having an event.

Tests that are available

This should be done in consultation with your local doctor. Your doctor will talk with you and examine you, then with your input may decide to do more testing including (if appropriate)*:

• Electrocardiogram (ECG)
• Blood tests (Cholesterol, diabetes, kidney function)
• Other blood tests (Thyroid function, iron studies, Lipoprotein (a) )
• Echocardiogram
• Stress testing
• Monitor to check for blood pressure or rhythm problems
• Calcium Score – This guides you on the risk of having an event, it does NOT tell you if you have any blockages (a common misunderstanding of patients)

*(this list is not meant to be exhaustive)

Then finally, if your doctor feels that you would benefit from further assessment they may send you to a cardiologist to discuss if it is appropriate to have more complex tests such as invasive coronary angiogram or a CT Coronary Angiogram (CTCA). This is different to a Calcium Score scan, as this can show if there is plaque (blockage) present. Preferentially it will be your Cardiologist who is best placed to organise a CTCA if they consider this to be indicated.

Treatments

First and foremost, diet and exercise and health lifestyle are the cornerstones to good heart health. Then, where appropriate medications are important in caring for you and reducing risk. In particular:

• Cholesterol Lowering Medication – statins are very important (unfortunately a lot of misinformation on their risks compared to their benefits)
• Blood Pressure lowering medications – there are a wide array of choices that should be suitable
• Diabetes Therapy – a number of new diabetic drugs are showing promise in protecting the heart as well as controlling sugar levels, but they are not yet available.

In the end, in consultation with your cardiologist interventional treatments such as stenting of arteries and heart bypass surgery may be needed. Daunting as this may be, these are usually very successful and uncomplicated procedures.