Before doctors give you a prescription for blood pressure medication or statins to lower cholesterol, they want to know that you’re in a high enough cardiovascular risk category.

They look at a number of factors – your age, body mass, family history, blood pressure and cholesterol numbers, and so forth.

The national health service of the UK thinks that (in general), anyone who has more than a 20% chance of a serious cardiovascular event (stroke, heart attack, angina) over the next ten years is a good candidate for medication.

Want to check your risk based on their standards?

Try this link:  http://www.qrisk.org

Fill out some basic information about yourself and it will generate an assessment of your cardiovascular risk over the next ten years.

Of course, their methodology has been questioned.  This is just a place to start. Discuss any concerns with your doctor.

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Deepen Your Body of Knowledge

Quiz: Best way to lower your cardiovascular risk

Cut your cardiovascular risk 60-70% or more

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