By rdnewsNOW Staff

Healthcare

Albertans can now discover their risk of a heart attack or stroke with new screening tool

Nov 23, 2023 | 2:06 PM

According to Alberta Health Services, everyone has some level of cardiovascular disease risk. However, Albertans will now be able to find out what their risk will be in the next 10 years.

The test uses a new cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk screening tool and a simple blood test ordered by their health provider to detect the risk of having a heart attack or stroke for those aged 40-75.

AHS says Enhanced Lipid Reporting (ELR) is a new, easy-to-use, lab-based approach to calculate CVD and stroke risk to ensure those at risk receive early treatment.

When a doctor does the screening, the patient will get a score that tells them how likely they are to have a heart attack or stroke in the next 10 years if they do not make any changes to reduce their risk. Patients will also receive their CVD risk results in their MyHealth Records account.

Patients and their doctors can use this personal screening score to plan and take steps to lower their risk and help prevent a heart attack or a stroke.

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AHS states that men are usually diagnosed with CVD between 55-64 years of age, and women between 65-74 years of age.

They add that CVD is the second leading cause of death in Alberta and the number one cause of death for women. Every hour, 12 Canadians over the age of 20 with heart disease die.

“Managing your risk is important for your health and quality of life. Many heart attacks and strokes can be prevented through healthy lifestyle changes and medication when risk is known. Identification of those who are at risk of CVD is an essential first step,” said AHS officials in a release.

“Knowing your personal risk of cardiovascular disease and stroke can help you act to lower your risk by making healthy lifestyle changes and taking prevention medicines. Talk with your healthcare provider to create a plan to help manage any health conditions.”

Individual risk can be influenced by factors such as:

• tobacco use
• blood pressure
• cholesterol levels
• diabetes
• family history
• activity level
• drinking alcohol
• eating habits
• stress levels
• weight

Where to get help to lower risk? While starting to make these changes can seem overwhelming and difficult to know where to start, individuals can talk to their doctor as a first step.

To learn more about prevention, connect online to supports and resources, including patient videos, guidance on talking with your doctor; the CVD risk screening tool, making lifestyle changes, and more.

Heart attacks and strokes are serious medical emergencies, and delaying treatment can have serious consequences, AHS states. Knowing the signs of a heart attack or stroke and acting fast is important, they add.