Heart Disease Risk Factors

Interview of David J. Anderson, M.D.
This is a transcript of the Audio: Heart Disease Risk Factors (http://38.111.154.172/SutterEastBay/Anderson60sec.wma). To listen you may download Windows Media Player (http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windowsmedia/download).



Male Interviewer: Here's an important heart healthy tip from one of the heart experts at Alta Bates Summit Medical Center.



Dr. David Anderson: My name is Dr. David Anderson. Most of us are aware that heart attack remains one of the leading causes of death and illness in our country. One might ask, is there any way of knowing if I could have such an event? In most cases, there is. People with heart disease usually have certain characteristics that have made them prone to the problem. We call these risk factors and they include smoking, high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol, obesity, and a family history of heart disease. In assessing your risk, it is important to realize that these factors add together, each increasing the impact of the other. Knowing your risk is important. Almost all of these factors are easily treated and if treated, no longer present risk. In addition, understanding you're at risk allows you to bring symptoms to the attention of your doctor early on so the problems can be avoided. Know your risk, take steps to lower your risk and beat the odds.



Interviewer: This heart healthy tip is brought to you by Alta Bates Summit Medical Center, a member of –



(Recording Ends)

- INTERVIEW CONCLUDED -

Go to the Heart Health Audio Web Page (http://www.altabatessummit.org/health/audio_hearthealthtips.html)