August 17, 2009

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - Assessing one's risk is for heart disease is easier using a new, free online tool developed by University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) cardiologists. The new interactive program also provides users with a personalized action plan to help improve their heart health.

"I think people will be surprised by their results in this assessment," said UAB cardiologist Vera Bittner, M.D., M.S.P.H. "Many risk factors contribute to cardiovascular disease. We tend to only take notice if we have a severe abnormality in a single risk factor, for example, a high blood pressure. However, we don't tend to worry too much if we have multiple mild abnormalities - mildly elevated blood pressure, plus mildly elevated cholesterol, plus mildly abnormal sugar, etc.

"It's the person with the multiple mild abnormalities who will be surprised to learn how high their risk really is."

With just a few clicks, users can fill in the necessary information and receive a customized evaluation of their risk for cardiovascular disease. Information to have on hand when completing the assessment includes age, gender, height, weight, waist circumference, activity level, cholesterol level (including HDL, LDL and triglycerides), blood pressure, fasting glucose level, and family history of heart disease.

Once the data is entered, the program assesses the medical profile and provides detailed information on the risk of developing heart disease, plus personalized education to provide a better understanding of their current heart health and action steps to help prevent heart disease.

"I hope through this tool people will better understand what puts them at risk for cardiovascular disease and that many of their risk factors are modifiable," Bittner said. "Then they can work with their physicians to get these risk factors under control."

Working with a personal physician to analyze the results of the assessment is a key step in lowering risk factors, Bittner said.

"Risk-factor modification is a lifelong work in progress that should be tackled jointly by patients and their physicians," she said. "It is very important that patients work with their physician to understand how to modify their risk factors with lifestyle changes or medications. The results of this assessment tool is a good starting point for a patient and his or her physician."

About UAB
UAB is the Southeast's most comprehensive and advanced health-care facility for treating heart and vascular disorders. UAB's nationally ranked Heart and Vascular Services provides the full spectrum of cardiovascular services and performs the most advanced cardiovascular, peripheral vascular and thoracic surgery procedures available.