| Lifestyle Risks
Tobacco Use: Smokers are two to four times more likely
to develop heart disease than non-smokers.
High Cholesterol: High cholesterol increases the risk of
coronary heart disease especially when other risk factors are present.
High Blood Pressure: High blood pressure also increases your risk of stroke, heart attack, kidney failure, and congestive heart failure.
Physical Inactivity: Regular physical activity helps prevent heart and blood vessel disease.
Obesity and Overweight: Excess weight raises blood pressure, cholesterol, and triglyceride levels.
Diabetes Mellitus: About three-quarters of people with diabetes die from some form of heart or blood vessel disease.
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Uncontrollable Risks
Age: 84% of people who die of coronary heart disease are
65 or older. As women age, their risk of dying from a heart attack surpasses that of men.
Gender: Men have a higher risk of heart attack and at a younger age than women.
Heredity: Children whose parents have a history of heart disease are more likely to develop it themselves.
African Americans have more severe high blood pressure
and a higher risk of heart disease than Caucasians. Mexican American, American Indians, Native Hawaiians, and some Asian American also have a higher risk of heart disease.
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