Am I At Risk for Heart Disease?

Heart disease is the number one cause of death for men and women in the United States; about one in four people die of heart disease every year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.  

But many types of heart disease are preventable, by reducing risk factors and being aware of the signs and symptoms. For example, you can reduce your risk factors for coronary artery disease (CAD), the most common type of heart disease, through lifestyle changes and medication therapy.

About the Preventive Cardiology clinic

Our expert cardiologists provide you the tools you need to live a heart healthy life. Our team's integrated approach to patient care includes an evaluation of your heart disease risk factors.

At our clinic, you can expect:

• Plans tailored for you, with specific lifestyle recommendations and medication management as needed
• Counseling and education to promote a healthy lifestyle
• Access to research and active clinical trials

Comprehensive heart disease risk assessment

Our evaluation and treatment therapies are designed to slow or stop the progression of heart disease, for conditions like atherosclerosis, or coronary artery disease.

• Lipid abnormalities
  
• Components of the cardiometabolic syndrome: 
  • Blood pressure
  • Glucose
  • Physical activity

Men and women are affected differently by certain risk factors. Our Women's Heart Health clinic focuses solely on how heart disease affects women. 

About the Familial Coronary Risk Clinic

The Stanford Familial Coronary Risk Clinic is a special focus within the Preventive Cardiology clinic, providing comprehensive, compassionate care to individual patients with early-onset coronary disease or strong risk factors for coronary disease, as well as their family members who may also be at increased risk.

Our goal is to comprehensively evaluate a patient's risk and to provide the most effective measures to slow or stop the progression of atherosclerosis for both primary and secondary prevention.

Individualized action plans are developed to determine the optimal approach for each patient, which include lifestyle interventions and when necessary, medications. Electronic medical records provide patients with secure on-line access to health information and communication.

The program involves:

• Advanced tests for lipids and emerging risk factors such as CRP, Lp (a), and Apo B
• Referrals for and assessment of imaging tests, such as ultrasound and heart CT scans
• Interpretation of and referrals for cardiovascular genetic testing
  
• Referrals to cardiac rehabilitation programs
• Coordination with Women's Heart Health for specialized coronary artery disease and chest pain evaluation