This risk assessment tool was created by the U.S. National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP) using information based on research from the Framingham Heart Study. The Framingham Study was established in 1948 and has been researching the causes and effects of Cardio Vascular Diseases (CVD) for three generations. The study is responsible for identifying many major CVD risk factors and has provided important information on risk factors such as blood pressure, blood triglyceride and cholesterol levels, age, gender, and psychosocial issues.

The tool calculates your risk of heart attack, based on smoking alone, using the values you enter for yourself (your gender and age), as well as a systolic blood pressure of 120 millimeters of mercury (mm Hg), an HDL cholesterol measurement of 55 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL), and a total cholesterol measurement of 200 mg/dL.

While this tool is a great way to discover how smoking by itself can increase your risk of having a heart attack, smoking can also have negative effects on CVD risk factors like cholesterol and blood pressure. So if you smoke, be sure to see a doctor and check for other risk factors for heart disease, your risk may be higher than this tool indicates.

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The new U.S. National Institutes of Health funded study, concerns men over the age of 65 and is based on a tracking of hormone levels and heart disease among nearly 700 community-dwelling men, found that men on the highest end of the testosterone spectrum had more than twice the chance of suffering from heart disease than those on the lower end of the spectrum.

The finding contradicts previous, smaller studies and is incredibly significant because many older men are using medications that increase their testosterone levels for various, non-life threatening, health issues such as low sex drive and mood disorders.  Based on this research, these men could be putting themselves at a higher risk of cardiovascular disease without even knowing it.

While this research could be a huge step forward in early detection of cardiovascular issues, Dr. Kristen Sueoka, author of the study, believes there is still much work to be done before testosterone levels can be used as a detection tool:

“One day testosterone measurements may be used to help predict which men are more likely to develop cardiovascular disease, but we need more studies to confirm that high testosterone is a risk factor for heart disease.”

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Researchers from Loma Linda University in California examined 25 studies from seven countries. 583 men and women with different levels of cholesterol were observed and none of them were taking cholesterol-lowering medications. All participates ate nuts which included almonds, hazelnuts, pecans, pistachios, walnuts, macadamia nuts, and peanuts.

On average, patients ate an average of 2.4 ounces daily. This resulted in an average 5.1% reduction in total cholesterol concentration, a 7.4% reduction in LDL (bad cholesterol), and an 8.3% reduction in the ratio of LDL to HDL (good cholesterol) levels.  Triglyceride measurements also declined by 10.2%, but only among people with initially high triglyceride levels.

Nuts also have a favorable effect on blood lipid levels and may lower coronary heart disease. Though, this only applied to those with a high LDL, low body mass index, and had Western diets.

However, too much of a good thing can be a bad thing. To reap the benefits, one should eat no more than 3 ounces of nuts per day due to their high calorie density.

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According to several studies, heart attack patients who have pets tend to survive longer than those without. Pets can help lower blood pressure and lessen anxiety. Male pet owners even have fewer signs of heart disease, like lower triglyceride and cholesterol levels than non pet owners.

Additional studies have shown that children who grow up around furry pet animals can reduce their risk of allergies and asthma later in their life. They can also have higher levels of some immune system chemicals, which signify an overall stronger immune system.

Click here for more information on the heart effects of high blood pressure.

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According to an article from the April issue of American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, which analyzed results from the WHI, low fat diets will not raise or lower your cholesterol; only people who consumed less harmful fats like trans fat and saturated fat had lower risk of heart disease.

Additionally, statistics show that many people who lose weight on a strict low fat diet regain that weight, and sometimes even more when they stop their diet. Regular healthy consumption of whole grains, fruits, and vegetables can go a long way, and helps build a strong foundation for maintaining health later in life.

Click here for other misconceptions about low fat diets.

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However, there is a critical disclaimer to that statement. All omega-3s are not the same; only fatty acids from fish known as DHA and EPA are known to deliver a large heart benefit. The ALA acids found in plants such as flaxseed, walnuts, and canola oil have a shorter carbon chain that has to be converted to DHA and EPA by your body; and human bodies are not efficient at turning plant omega-3s into the fish kind.

Additional claims about omega-3s should be taken with a grain of salt. Studies have suggested that the EPA and DHA might help battle dementia, ADHD, and cancer. But there’s a problem. The research mostly looked at the improvement rates of these conditions among people who ate a lot of fish. The type of person who goes out of their way to eat fish several times per week is most likely doing other things to take care of their health; like eat less red meat and exercise more. This alone does not prove that omega-3s are responsible, but it could be the combination of fish consumption along with regular exercise.

Click here for more information on omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids.

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Fresh Herbs: these flavor power-houses can make other foods even better for you because they can replace salt, fat, and cholesterol.

Black Beans: are filled with heart healthy nutrients such as folate, antioxidants, magnesium for lowering blood pressure, and fiber which helps control cholesterol and blood sugar

Red Wine: for those that consume alcohol, red wine may be the best choice; two antioxidants found in red wine can help raise levels of good cholesterol.

Salmon: one of the top best foods for heart health, salmon is rich in omega-3s which help lower the risk of sudden cardiac death.  Tuna is another great option that is rich in omega-3s; albacore tuna contains the most out of other tuna varieties.

Extra Virgin Olive Oil: this oil, made from the first press of olives, is rich in heart healthy antioxidants that can help lower cholesterol.  Add it to just about anything for a boost of flavor and help your heart at the same time!

Almonds: are full of vitamin E, fiber, and heart healthy fats that can help lower bad cholesterol.  Just add a handful of slivered almost to vegetables, chicken, yogurt, and even desserts!

Soy Protein: edamame and tofu are both soy protein products that contain cholesterol lowering fiber that help you avoid a load of artery clogging saturated fat.

Oatmeal: oats in different forms can help boost your heart health by lowering levels of bad cholesterol.  Plus, a warm bowl of oatmeal will fill you up for hours helping you curb snack cravings.

• Tasty Tip: swap oats for one-third of the flour in pancakes muffins and baked goods for a texturally unique breakfast or snack!

For more heart healthy tips, participate in one of these heart month online chats.



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Research has previously shown that saturated fat can raise blood levels of “bad” LDL cholesterol, and this is a major risk factor for heart disease and stroke. Because of this relationship, experts have generally advised people to limit their intake of fatty meat, butter, and full-fat dairy.

In the new analysis, which combined the results of 21 previous studies, researchers found no clear evidence that higher saturated fat intakes led to higher risks of hear disease or stroke. These findings, published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, may sound like good news for steak and dairy lovers, but a past American Heart Association president cautioned against “over interpreting” the results. These new analyses are not going to change recommendations to keep saturated fat intake in check.

Perhaps the best take-away from the new interpretations is heart health is moving away from focusing on single nutrients and more toward “dietary patterns.” For example, a “Mediterranean” diet described as one rich in whole grains, fish, and unsaturated fats from vegetable oil, may help lower the risk of heart disease and stroke. Opposed to a so-called “Western” diet high in red and processed meats, saturated fats, and sweets would not be good in promoting heart health.

Click here for more Fat Facts.

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Cultures throughout history have valued the cacao been for many reasons including: using it as a form of currency and recognizing the consumption of chocolate to be good for strength, health, faith, and passion. The St. Valentine’s Day tradition of sending chocolate was started because certain properties of chocolate were said to seduce your lover’s heart, but now science is reporting that chocolate may actually protect their heart!

Researchers today have discovered that chocolate contains oleic acid and mono-unsaturated fat, which is also found naturally in olive oil and is believed to raise good cholesterol levels. Chocolate also contains protein, riboflavin (also known as vitamin B2 which helps prevent skin lesions and increases red blood cell production), calcium, and iron.

In addition, chocolate has been found to contain flavanoids which are also found in fruits, vegetables, red wine, and tea; which all help boost the human immune system and prevent illness. Chocolate also contains anti-oxidants which help prevent or postpone damage to the body.

So this Valentine’s Day help your heart and don’t hesitant for grabbing another piece of chocolate!

Click here for more information on how chocolate may be good for the heart.

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One of the easiest ways to stick to a low cholesterol diet is to keep unhealthy foods out of your house. Simply grab a garbage bag, open the refrigerator and the pantry, and start tossing! Many of these unhealthy foods contain trans fats or saturated fats, and as of January 2006 the FDA ruled that all nutritional labels must include both saturated and trans fat content. The American Heart Association recommends that people get only 7% of their calories from saturated fat, and 1% from trans fat

Now start stocking up on heart-healthy oils and fats. Look for foods with polyunsaturated fats, found in nuts and seeds (also sunflower, peanut, and walnut oil) and monounsaturated fats, like olive, and canola oils, which are known to reduce the “bad” LDLs and increase “good” HDLs.

To chat with a doctor about cholesterol, sign up for the live chat at NorthShore HealthSystem on March 4, 2010 at 1PM.

If you are concerned about your cholesterol, check out this health check test at WebMD.com

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