To avert a first heart attack or stroke patients should be routinely assessed for their general risk of cardiovascular disease beginning at age 20.  American Heart Association Guidelines for primary prevention of cardiovascular disease and stroke also recommends that physicians calculate the risk of developing cardiovascular disease for people age 40 and older or for anyone who has multiple risk factors.

Risk factor screening includes:

• Blood Pressure
• Body Mass Index
• Waist circumference and pulse at least every two years
• Cholesterol profile and glucose testing at least every five years beginning at age 20

Risk factors that can't be changed:

• Increasing age
• Heredity

Risk factors you can modify:

• Exposure to tobacco smoke
• High blood pressure
• Obesity and overweight
• High blood cholesterol
• Physical inactivity
• Diabetes

Other factors that can contribute to heart disease risk:

• Stress
• Drinking too much alcohol

Tools to assess your risks

• Framingham Risk Assessment
• Reynolds Risk Score