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Heart disease risk assessments offered For more information about heart disease and its risk factors, visit the Wellness Wednesday booth from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. June 7 in the Children’s Hospital lobby.   Almost 17 million people worldwide die each year due to coronary heart disease. It is the leading cause of death in North America, and is estimated to cause one of every five deaths in the United States. More than half of those who die suddenly from coronary heart disease will have no previous symptoms. Thus, it is crucial for individuals to identify whether they are at risk for heart disease before symptoms appear, so that they can control their risk factors before it is too late. Unfortunately, many people don’t know the risks for heart disease, and even those who do may not do all they can to protect themselves.   The American Heart Association categorizes heart disease risk factors into two categories: those that can’t be changed, and those that can. Risk factors that can’t be changed include age, gender and heredity (which include family history and race/ethnicity). Those that can be changed include smoking, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, physical inactivity, being overweight and diabetes. The best way to predict the development of heart disease is to calculate a risk score based on the risk factors for each individual, which then predicts the likelihood of developing heart disease.   Health 1st will offer heart disease risk assessments to MUSC employees at the June 7 Wellness Wednesday. These assessments will include blood pressure measurements and calculation of body mass index to determine whether an individual is overweight. Based on risk factors, individuals will have their Personal Heart  risk score calculated and will learn the likelihood of developing heart disease within the next 10 years. Educational resources and counseling to help individuals decrease risk for heart disease will also be provided. Topics will include tips for healthy eating and physical activity, as well as ways to lower cholesterol, control blood pressure, and quit smoking. Some individuals may be eligible to receive further testing to assess heart disease risk free of charge.   The registration deadline is June 11 for two Health 1st classes. These classes will be held June 21 (Developing a Healthier Lifestyle) and June 27 (Caregivers Planning Seminar). Visit http://www.musc.edu/medcenter/health1st for registration information or call 792-1245. Editor's note: The preceding column was brought to you on behalf of Health 1st. Striving to bring various topics and representing numerous employee wellness organizations and committees on campus, this weekly column seeks to provide MUSC, MUHA and UMA employees with current and helpful information concerning all aspects of health.     Friday, June 1, 2007 Catalyst Online is published weekly, updated as needed and improved from time to time by the MUSC Office of Public Relations for the faculty, employees and students of the Medical University of South Carolina. Catalyst Online editor, Kim Draughn, can be reached at 792-4107 or by email, catalyst@musc.edu. Editorial copy can be submitted to Catalyst Online and to The Catalyst in print by fax, 792-6723, or by email to catalyst@musc.edu. To place an ad in The Catalyst hardcopy, call Island Publications at 849-1778, ext. 201.