Unchangeable risk factors
Many factors influence the chance of becoming a victim of heart disease. The more risk
factors you have, the greater the risk to your health. Although some risk factors cannot be changed, many can be controlled.

Heredity
Heart disease often runs in families. The genes that carry the blueprints for bodies may
carry heart disease from parents to children.

Gender
Heart disease is the number one killer of both men and women. Men are more likely than women to develop heart disease and are more likely pre-disposed to heart trouble at an earlier age.

Race
Heart attack risk in African-Americans is higher than in any other race, because they are twice as likely to have high blood pressure.

Age
Recent studies suggest that men 45 or older are at a higher risk of heart disease.  Women age 55 or older are at higher risk for coronary artery disease.

Risk factors that can be changed or controlled.

Cigarette smoking

Nicotine from cigarette smoking makes the heart work harder by temporarily increasing blood pressure and heart rate. Furthermore, the carbon monoxide from cigarette smoke gets in the blood stream and reduces the amount of oxygen delivered to the heart and other parts of the body.

Cocaine abuse

Cocaine causes constriction of coronary arteries, which decreases the flow of blood and oxygen, to the heart muscle. At the same time, it increases the heart rate, which increases the heart’s need for oxygen. These combined reactions can result in angina, heart attack and sudden death.

Diabetes

People with diabetes have a higher risk of heart disease than those who are not diabetic.

High blood pressure

High blood pressure places a greater demand on the heart muscle. Most doctors agree that blood pressures consistently greater than 140/90 should be treated.

Behavioral characteristics

“Type A” personality is thought to be a risk factor for heart disease. This personality type is characterized by an intense time pressure, chronic impatience and hostility or anger.

Blood cholesterol levels

Cholesterol is blood fat lipid. Our bodies make cholesterol, and it is found in some foods.  Cholesterol is essential to health. It enables the body to build cells, repair tissue, and make sex hormones and vitamin D. Unfortunately, too much cholesterol can buildup in the arteries, reducing blood flow and leading to heart disease. High-density lipoprotein (HDL), the “good” cholesterol, is the part of cholesterol that leaves the body and does not build-up deposits.

HDLs help transport cholesterol from the body’s cells to the liver where it is broken down. HDLs may keep LDLs from entering cells. Low-density lipoprotein (LDL), the “bad” cholesterol, is the type of cholesterol that can damage health.

LDLs are mostly fat and tend to break down as they move through the blood. They leave behind cholesterol deposits, which build-up in the arteries.

Obesity

Extra weight puts extra strain on the heart. Excess body fat makes the heart work harder and increases the risk of high blood pressure, diabetes and elevated cholesterol levels.

Lack of exercise

Exercise and diet are the best ways to lose body fat and weight. The American Heart Association now recognizes “lack of exercise” as a major risk factor for heart disease. For sedentary people, adding exercise to a daily routine can help fight heart disease, as well as reduce the risk of high blood pressure, osteoporosis, breast and colon cancer, depression, anxiety and stress.

Find out if you are at risk with this short online risk assessment.

See how you can change your risk factors. Check out the prevention page.