Risk Factors for Heart Disease:
Your age. Simply getting older increases your risk of narrowed arteries
and weakened or thickened heart muscle, which contribute to heart
disease.
Your gender. Men are generally at greater risk of heart disease than
women . However, the risk for a woman increases after menopause.
High blood pressure. Uncontrolled high blood pressure can result in
hardening and thickening of your arteries, narrowing the vessels through
which blood can flow.
High blood cholesterol levels. High levels of cholesterol in your
blood can increase the risk of formation of plaques and atherosclerosis.
Plaques can be caused by a high level of low-density lipoproteins (LDLs),
known as "bad" cholesterol, or a low level of high-density lipoproteins
(HDLs), known as "good" cholesterol.
Diabetes. High blood glucose levels increase your risk of heart disease.
Family history. A family history of heart disease increases your risk
of coronary artery disease, especially if a parent or sibling developed it
at an early age (before age 55 for a male relative such as your father or
brother and before age 65 for a female relative such as your mother or
sister).
Smoking. Nicotine constricts your blood vessels, and carbon monoxide
can damage their inner lining, making them more susceptible to
atherosclerosis. Heart attacks are more common in smokers than in
nonsmokers.
Poor diet. A diet high in fat and cholesterol contribute to the
development of heart disease.
Obesity. Excess weight typically worsens other risk factors.
Physical inactivity. Lack of exercise also is associated with many
forms of heart disease and some of its other risk factors, as well.
High stress. Unrelieved stress in your life may damage your arteries
as well as worsen other risk factors for heart disease.
