1. Cardiovascular Disease Risk Stratification
Stephanie Peterson
Clients interested in reducing CVD risk

2. 8 Primary risk Factors: Age Family History Hypertension Dyslipidemia
5. Cigarette Smoking 6. Sedentary Lifestyle 7. Obesity 8. Pre-diabetes

3. Is a positive risk factor for you if…
1. Age
If you’re a man and ≥ 45 years old.
Is a positive risk factor for you if…
OR you’re a woman and ≥ 55 years old.

4. Is a positive risk factor for you if…
2. Family History
Is a positive risk factor for you if…
There was a myocardial infarction, coronary re-vascularization, or sudden death in your:
Father/first degree male relative that is <55 years old.
OR mother/first degree female relative <65 years old.
Genetics are a good predictor of what diseases a person may be at risk for.

5. 3. Dyslipidemia Is a positive risk factor for you if…
Your LDL Cholesterol is ≥ 130 mg⋅dl-1
OR your HDL Cholesterol is ≤ 40 mg⋅dl-1
OR your Total Cholesterol is ≥ 200 mg⋅dl-1
***Negative Risk Factor:
If HDL Cholesterol is ≥ 60 mg⋅dl-1

6. Is a positive risk factor for you if…
4. Hypertension
Is a positive risk factor for you if…
If your systaltic blood pressure is ≥140 mmHg
OR your diastolic blood pressure is ≥ 90 mmHg
***Ideal blood pressure is below 120 mmHg for systolic and below 80 mmHg for diastolic***

7. Is a positive risk factor for you if…
5. CIGARETTE Smoking
Is a positive risk factor for you if…
You’re a current cigarette smoker.
OR you quit in the past 6 months.
OR you live with a smoker.
P.S. Chewing Tobacco is considered smoking, and therefore, a POSITIVE risk factor!!

8. Is a positive risk factor for you if…
6. Sedentary Lifestyle
Is a positive risk factor for you if…
You’re not participating in a regular exercise program.
OR you’re not meeting the minimal recommendation of exercise (accumulating 30 or more minutes of moderate physical activity on at least 3 days/ week for 3 months).
American College of Sports Medicine recommends 60+ minutes on 3 or more days/week if the goal is weight loss.

9. 7. Obesity Your BMI is ≥ 30 kg⋅dl-1 OR you’re a man and:
Did you know that 36% of American Adults are obese?
Is a positive risk factor for you if…
Your BMI is ≥ 30 kg⋅dl-1
OR you’re a man and:
Your waist girth is > 102 cm (40 in)
Or your waist/hip ratio is ≥ .95
OR you’re a woman and:
Your waist girth is > 88 cm (35 in)
Or your waist/hip ratio is ≥ .86

10. 8. Pre-diabetes
Is a primary risk factor for you if…
Your fasting blood glucose is ≥ 100 mg⋅dl-1 and ≤ 126 mg⋅dl-1
>126 mg⋅dl-1 is classified as diabetes.

11. MAJOR SIGNS/SYMPTOMS Angina: pain/discomfort in chest area.
Unaccustomed shortness of breath/unusual fatigue at rest.
Syncope: dizziness or fainting.
Difficulty breathing while reclining/sleeping.
Ankle edema.
Fluttering of heart.
Severe leg pain when walking.
Known heart murmur.

12. Assessing Your level of risk:
Calculate the number of positive risk factors that apply to yourself:
LOW RISK: asymptomatic with no more than 1 primary risk factor.
MODERATE RISK: asymptomatic with ≥ 2 primary risk factors.
HIGH RISK: symptomatic (≥ 1 major sign/symptom)

13. ? Low Risk Mod. Risk High Risk So what does this mean??
Determines what exercise intensities are safe for you.
Determines what type of physician clearance/ supervision is required.
Click on your level of risk to skip ahead to that category OR wait to review them all!
Low Risk
Mod. Risk
High Risk

14. Low risk
You are free to exercise at any intensity without clearance/supervision of a physician.
Low Risk
Physician clearance for moderate exercise
No clearance is necessary
Physician clearance for vigorous exercise
Physician supervision during submaximal exercise testing
Physician supervision during maximal exercise testing

15. moderate risk
You are free to exercise at any low intensities and participate in submaximal testing without physician clearance/supervision.
Low Risk
Physician clearance for moderate exercise
No clearance is necessary
Physician clearance for vigorous exercise
Clearance is required
Physician supervision during submaximal exercise testing
Physician supervision during maximal exercise testing

16. High risk
You must have physician clearance/supervision before any type of exercise or exercise testing.
Low Risk
Physician clearance for moderate exercise
Clearance is required
Physician clearance for vigorous exercise
Physician supervision during submaximal exercise testing
Physician supervision during maximal exercise testing

17. Reducing our risk… Modifiable Risk Factors: Cigarette smoking.
Sedentary lifestyle.
Obesity.
Hypertension.
Pre-diabetes.
Dyslipidemia.
Non-modifiable Risk Factors:
Family history.
Age.
We can reduce our risk for Cardiovascular Disease by eliminating our MODIFIABLE risk factors.

18. How?!
Diet
Exercise
Stress reduction

19. Diet Low in salt. Low in saturated fats. High in fiber.
High in green leafy vegetables.
High in fruit.
Plenty of omega 3’s.
For more advice visit,

20. Exercise 30+ minutes of exercise on 3 or more days per week.
Strength training regimen.
Find alternative ways to exercise such as, sports teams or group fitness.

21. Stress reduction Stress management is key!
Everyone copes differently (personal preference).
Yoga, music, art, athletics, etc…

22. The American College of Sports Medicine
Sources:
The American College of Sports Medicine