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In the first column in this series, we talked about what heart disease is, its prevalence among women, and the risk factors for developing heart disease. In this installment, you will learn how to find out your personal risks for becoming a victim of heart disease.

To protect your heart health, it is important to find out your personal risk for heart disease. Be aware that every risk factor counts. If you have even one risk factor, you are much more likely to develop heart disease, with its serious consequences. Having more than one risk factor is especially serious, because risk factors tend to “gang up” and worsen each other’s effects.

According to the National Institutes of Health, heart disease risk factors you can control include:

Smoking. Cigarette smoking greatly increases the risk of heart attack and stroke, as well as lung cancer and other serious diseases. There is simply no safe way to smoke, but the rewards of quitting are enormous. Just 1 year after you stop smoking, your heart disease will drop by more than half.

High Blood Pressure. High blood pressure can lead to heart disease, stroke, congestive heart failure and kidney disease. Usually, blood pressure is expressed as two numbers, such as 120/80 mmHg (millimeters of mercury). Blood pressure is considered “high” when it is 140/90 or above. But even prehypertension (120-139 over 80-89) raises your risk of heart disease.

High Blood Cholesterol. Cholesterol travels in the blood in packages called lipoproteins. Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) is often called “bad” cholesterol because too much LDL in your blood can lead to blockages in the arteries, and a possible heart attack. The higher your LDL number, the higher your risk of heart disease. (An LDL level of 160 or above is high, less than 100 is optimal.) Another type of cholesterol is high-density lipoprotein (HDL), also known as “good” cholesterol. That’s because HDL helps remove cholesterol from your blood. (An HDL level of less than 40 increases your risk for heart disease; 60 or higher is protective.) Another key number is your total cholesterol, which should be less than 200.

Overweight/Obesity. If you are overweight or obese, you are more likely to develop heart disease, even if you have no other risk factors. Overweight also increases the risks for stroke, congestive heart failure, gallbladder disease, diabetes, arthritis and breathing problems, as well as breast, colon and other cancers.

Physical Inactivity. Not getting regular physical activity increases your risk for heart disease, as well as other heart disease risk factors, such as high blood pressure, diabetes, and overweight. Especially for older women, physical inactivity increases the chances of developing osteoporosis, which in turn raises the risk of broken bones.

Diabetes. Diabetes is a major risk factor for heart disease, stroke, kidney failure and other diseases. The type of diabetes that adults most commonly develop is “type 2.” Your are more likely to develop this disease if you are overweight (especially with extra weight around your middle), physically inactive, or have a family history of diabetes. Diabetes can be detected with a blood sugar test.

The first step in assessing your personal risk for developing heart disease is to see your doctor for a thorough checkup. Tell your doctor you want help to achieve your goal of heart health. Don’t hesitate to ask questions, such as:

What is my risk for heart disease?
What is my blood pressure? What does that mean for me?
What are my cholesterol numbers? What do they mean for me?
What are my “body mass index” and waist measurement? Do they mean I need to lose weight?
What is my blood sugar level? Does it mean I am at risk for diabetes?
Do I need other screening tests for heart disease?
What can you do to help me quit smoking?
How much physical activity do I need?
What is a heart healthy eating plan for me?

Now that you know what the risk factors for heart disease are, and you are planning to get your doctor’s help in finding out your personal risk factors, you can see why changes in your lifestyle and daily habits can go a long way to preventing heart disease. In our final column in this series, we’ll look at ways to reduce your risks, change your habits and set about preparing for a long and healthy life.