St. Luke’s and Roosevelt Hospitals
Center for Cardiovascular Disease Prevention
Volume 2, Issue 2
Healthy Heart Advice: Reducing Your Risk Factors for Coronary Heart Disease
Coronary heart disease (CHD), also known as coronary artery disease, occurs when the blood vessels bringing blood to
the heart muscle become blocked due to buildup of plaque, or atherosclerosis. Years of research have shown that the risk
factors fall into several categories: genetic, non-modifiable (risks that you cannot change), medical conditions, and lifestyle.
Genetic and Non-Modifiable Risk Factors
• Family history of premature CHD
(1st degree relative, male < 55 and female < 65)
• Age 45 and older for men, 55 and older for women
Medical Conditions
• Diabetes
• High blood pressure (hypertension)
• High cholesterol
Lifestyle Factors
• Tobacco use
• Sedentary lifestyle
• Overweight
• Poor diet
The good news is that there is a lot you can do to prevent CHD by making changes in your
lifestyle as well as taking medications. Even with genetic or non-modifiable risk factors,
reducing your risk with healthy behaviors can lessen the chance that you will get CHD.
If you have risk factors, it is important to review them and make a plan to lower your risk
and get heart-healthy. For a comprehensive consultation and management plan, call Merle Myerson, MD, board-certified
cardiologist and Director, Center for Cardiovascular Disease Prevention at 212.492.5550.
The Center for Cardiovascular Disease Prevention
at St. Luke’s and Roosevelt Hospitals is a specialized
program that focuses entirely on heart and vascular disease
prevention. The Center is dedicated to improving the quality of
life for patients with heart disease, stroke and diabetes as well
as helping those with risk factors lower their chance for having
the disease. With cardiovascular disease being the number
one killer of men and women in America, prevention is more
important than ever.
Components of the program include cholesterol and full lipid
profile testing and treatment, management of high blood
pressure, smoking cessation, nutrition evaluation, weight loss
counseling, physical fitness assessment and exercise counseling.
We also offer a unique program dedicated to reducing the
heart risks associated with participation in competitive and
recreational sports and exercise, including weight training.
Stress testing and cardiac ultrasound are also available.
Center for Cardiovascular Disease Prevention
425 W. 59th Street, Suite 9D or 374 W. 125th Street
212.492.5550
www.stlukeshospitalnyc.org
Center for Cardiovascular Disease Prevention
425 W. 59th Street, Suite 9D
New York, NY 10019