Going Green ? Reducing your risk of coronary heart disease

If you're committed to reducing your risk of coronary heart disease, make an appointment with your doctor for a blood test, and have a conversation about good heart health care.

Once you've had the blood test, your doctor may discuss your results as being in either the red, yellow, or green zone. This is based on your full risk assessment, including both the risk factors you can and can't control. The more factors you have in the green, the better. Ask your doctor about the specific risk factors in your profile, developing an action plan to get them to green, and tracking your progress.

Here is what you need to know about the zones.

Cut your coronary heart disease risk...

Red is a warning sign that you need to take immediate steps to cut your coronary heart disease (CHD) risk. Even if you have only one number in the red zone, work closely with your doctor or other health care professional to address that area. Remember: the more scores you have in the red zone, the greater your risk of having a CHD-related event, such as a heart attack or stroke.

Action steps: Ask your doctor if medication is needed to control one or more of your risk factors. If you smoke, talk to your doctor about quitting. Follow your doctor's advice on diet and exercise. Enlist family and friends to help you stay on track. Finally, stay positive. You can do it!

Pay more attention...

Yellow-zone scores are like a "proceed with caution" signal. They are a sign to pay more attention to what you eat, drink, and weigh, and how much physical activity you get. Paying attention now may help you avoid the red zone — and may even help you move into the green.

Action steps: Know your heart-health numbers. Be active every day.* If you smoke, talk to your doctor about quitting. Download a copy of the food pyramid at www.mypyramid.gov and tack it to the refrigerator door. Take medications, if any, correctly.

*Talk to your doctor before beginning or changing any exercise regimen.

Protect your coronary heart health...

Maybe it's all in the genes, but chances are you're already taking steps to protect your coronary heart health. These may include avoiding dietary cholesterol and saturated fats; living smoke-free; getting as much exercise as your doctor recommends; avoiding excess sugar and salt; and taking any medications as directed.

Action steps: If you're working at staying healthy, keep up the good work! If you're relying on your age or "good" genes to get by, remember: it gets harder to stay in the green zone as you get older, so develop heart-healthy habits now.

See examples of how others have worked to reduce their risk, in Patient profiles.