Your heart health is one of the most important indicators of your overall wellness, yet many people don’t know where they stand when it comes to cardiovascular risk. At Crandall Concierge Medicine & Cardiology, we believe prevention begins with knowledge. One of the most effective ways to understand your personal risk for heart disease is through your Heart Risk Score. This valuable tool helps estimate the likelihood of developing heart disease or experiencing a heart attack within the next 10 years. By interpreting this score within the context of your lifestyle, medical history, and advanced testing, our concierge approach empowers you to take control of your heart health with precision, personalized care, and ongoing support.
In This Blog:
- What Is a Heart Risk Score?
- Key Factors That Influence Your Score
- How the Score Is Calculated
- What Different Risk Levels Mean
- How Concierge Medicine Helps You Take Action
- Steps to Improve Your Heart Health
- When to Discuss Your Score with Your Doctor
What Is a Heart Risk Score?
A Heart Risk Score (often called a cardiovascular or ASCVD risk score) is a medical assessment that estimates your likelihood of developing heart disease or having a heart attack or stroke within the next 10 years. It combines several health measurements, such as cholesterol levels, blood pressure, and lifestyle factors, to create a clear picture of your cardiovascular health.
At Crandall Concierge Medicine & Cardiology, your heart risk score is more than just a number. We use it as a starting point for a personalized prevention plan. By evaluating your score alongside advanced diagnostic testing and your unique health profile, Dr. Crandall and his team can help you understand where you stand and what steps can be taken to strengthen and protect your heart.
Key Factors That Influence Your Score
Several measurable and lifestyle-related factors influence your heart risk score. Each one plays a role in shaping your overall cardiovascular health:
- Age and Gender: Risk tends to increase as you get older, and men often develop heart disease earlier than women.
- Blood Pressure: Elevated blood pressure strains the arteries and can accelerate plaque buildup.
- Cholesterol Levels: High LDL (“bad”) cholesterol and low HDL (“good”) cholesterol contribute to artery blockage.
- Diabetes: Elevated blood sugar damages blood vessels and increases cardiovascular risk.
- Smoking: Tobacco use is a leading preventable cause of heart disease.
- Family History: A history of heart disease in close relatives can indicate a higher inherited risk.
- Lifestyle Choices: Sedentary habits, poor diet, stress, and lack of sleep all contribute to long-term heart strain.
During your visit at Crandall Concierge Medicine & Cardiology in Palm Beach, each of these factors is carefully reviewed. We also assess additional elements such as inflammation markers, hormone balance, and even sleep patterns to ensure your heart evaluation is as comprehensive as possible.
How the Score Is Calculated
Your heart risk score is typically determined using medical algorithms such as the ASCVD (Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease) Risk Calculator, which analyzes your test results and lifestyle inputs. The score is presented as a percentage, indicating your estimated chance of a cardiovascular event (like a heart attack or stroke) over the next decade. For example, a 10% risk means you have a 1 in 10 chance of developing heart disease within 10 years.
At Crandall Concierge Medicine & Cardiology, we go beyond basic formulas. Dr. Crandall incorporates advanced cardiac testing to refine your results and uncover hidden risks, such as:
- Coronary Calcium Scoring: detects early plaque buildup in the arteries.
- Carotid Ultrasound: measures blood flow and plaque in the neck arteries.
- Inflammatory Markers (hs-CRP, Lp(a)): reveal inflammation or genetic factors affecting heart risk.
This deeper level of evaluation allows our team to deliver a more accurate picture of your heart health and craft a personalized plan to improve your long-term wellness.
What Different Risk Levels Mean
Once your results are calculated, your Heart Risk Score is categorized into one of four levels. Each of these levels represents a different degree of risk for developing heart disease or experiencing a cardiovascular event within 10 years:
- Low Risk (<5%): Your likelihood of heart disease is minimal. Focus on maintaining a healthy lifestyle to preserve your results.
- Borderline Risk (5–7.5%): You have a slightly elevated chance of developing heart disease; small changes in diet, activity, or cholesterol management can make a big impact.
- Intermediate Risk (7.5–20%): Your risk is moderate, and lifestyle adjustments along with possible medication may be recommended to prevent future complications.
- High Risk (>20%): A high score indicates a strong likelihood of heart disease within the next decade, requiring immediate and comprehensive preventive strategies.
At Crandall Concierge Medicine & Cardiology, we interpret these scores in the context of your entire health profile and not as an isolated number. We consider your genetics, stress levels, sleep patterns, and inflammatory markers to create a precision-based prevention plan designed to reduce your risk and improve overall cardiovascular function.
How Concierge Medicine Helps You Take Action
Traditional medicine often stops at identifying risk. Concierge care goes further by helping you act on it with personalized, ongoing guidance. At Crandall Concierge Medicine & Cardiology, we take the time to understand your daily habits, stressors, and health goals, turning your heart risk assessment into a roadmap for lasting wellness. Advantages of our concierge approach include:
- Extended visits that allow for in-depth conversations about your heart health.
- Comprehensive testing and monitoring to track your progress over time.
- Personalized lifestyle and nutrition plans based on your risk profile.
- Direct access to Dr. Crandall for follow-ups, medication adjustments, or questions between visits.
- Coordination with specialists for advanced cardiac care when needed.
This proactive model empowers you to take control of your cardiovascular health with continuous support instead of only once a year with annual checkups.
Steps to Improve Your Heart Health
Whether your heart risk score is low or high, there are always ways to strengthen your cardiovascular system. Dr. Crandall emphasizes small, sustainable changes that build long-term protection for your heart. Evidence-based strategies to lower your risk include:
- Follow a heart-healthy diet: Focus on whole grains, lean proteins, fruits, vegetables, and healthy fats such as olive oil or nuts.
- Exercise regularly: Aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate activity (like brisk walking or cycling) per week.
- Manage your blood pressure and cholesterol: Routine monitoring and early treatment make a big difference.
- Maintain a healthy weight: Even modest weight loss can significantly reduce strain on the heart.
- Quit smoking and limit alcohol: These changes dramatically lower your risk for heart attack and stroke.
- Reduce stress and prioritize sleep: Chronic stress and poor sleep are major contributors to heart disease.
- Stay consistent with medical care: Regular check-ins with your Palm Beach concierge physician help track progress and prevent issues before they develop.
At Crandall Concierge Medicine & Cardiology, we customize every heart health plan to fit your lifestyle and long-term goals, ensuring that prevention feels manageable and empowering.
When to Discuss Your Score with Your Doctor
Your Heart Risk Score is not static and it can change as your health, habits, and lifestyle evolve. That’s why it’s essential to review your score regularly with your doctor, especially if:
- You’ve had recent changes in blood pressure, cholesterol, or blood sugar.
- You’ve started or stopped smoking, or made major dietary or activity changes.
- You have new symptoms such as chest discomfort, shortness of breath, or unusual fatigue.
- You have a strong family history of early heart disease.
At Crandall Concierge Medicine & Cardiology, our concierge cardiology model ensures you don’t have to wait months for a follow-up or rush through your appointments. Patients have direct access to Dr. Crandall, allowing for same-day or next-day visits when questions arise. This level of personalized attention means you can stay informed, adjust your plan as needed, and make confident, proactive decisions about your cardiovascular health.
Conclusion
Understanding your Heart Risk Score is one of the most powerful steps you can take toward protecting your future health. Rather than waiting for symptoms to appear, you can take control now by using your risk score as a guide to make informed lifestyle changes and receive personalized preventive care.
At Crandall Concierge Medicine & Cardiology, we believe that heart health should be approached with intention, insight, and individualized care. From advanced diagnostic testing to ongoing wellness coaching, Dr. Crandall and his team are here to help you reduce your risk and achieve long-term cardiovascular vitality.
Take charge of your heart health today. Schedule a comprehensive heart risk assessment and consultation with Crandall Concierge Medicine & Cardiology in Palm Beach, FL to learn your personal heart risk score and begin your journey toward stronger, healthier living.
