Healthy female, 70, walk 3 miles 5 - 7 days a week.  Diet is a blend of healthy & junk.  Take vitamins & supplements.  No problem sleeping.  Both parents had heart disease as do both brothers, Mother & brother diabetic.  I have no symptoms except borderline bloodpressure, cholesterol and sugar.  My Primary doesn't see any problem but I am concerned since alot of heart conditions have no symptoms until the big one.  I think I need to have a stress test (never had one), a carotid artery ultrasound, and the new calcium test discussed this am on GMA.   I don't need referrals, should I contact a cardiologist for an appointment & just ask for these tests, should I see my primary first for blood work - what tests do you recommend?

*****FROM ABC NEWS MEDICAL UNIT*****

Hello Joankimber, and thank you for question. Here is an answer from Dr. Marie Savard, ABC Medical News Contributor:

"You have a number of reasons to be concerned about heart disease and I would agree you should have a thorough checkup to be sure your heart is okay. I would let your family doctor know how concerned you are about your many risk factors and that you need the peace of mind of additional testing. Your doctor could refer you to a cardiologist and of course you could see one on your own. I always suggest first including your family doctor whenever possible. You sound like you may have a condition called metabolic syndrome that would place you at higher than average risk of heart disease. Your family history adds to your risk of heart disease as well. You should be proactive about asking about daily baby aspirin, controlling your blood sugar, cholesterol and blood pressure because even if you have some evidence of plaque, there is so much you can do to prevent a heart attack.

Dr. Marie"

To watch the news piece where Dr. Marie Savard discusses the Battle Against Heart Disease, please go to http://abcnews.go.com/Video/playerIndex?id=7206382

*****FROM ABC NEWS MEDICAL UNIT*****
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