Having diabetes, a condition that causes high levels of glucose in the blood, is a risk factor for developing cardiovascular disease. High glucose levels can damage the artery walls and make the buildup of fatty deposits atheroma more likely. If these fatty deposits occur in the coronary arteries, they can lead to possible coronary heart disease and heart attack.
There are two types of diabetes: type 1, which involves the body being unable to produce insulin and which usually develops in children and young adults, and type 2 diabetes, which is more likely to affect older people, though is becoming more common in younger people, and which involves the body either not making enough insulin or the body becoming resistant to insulin.
Type 2 diabetes is closely associated with a lifestyle that leads to being overweight and physical inactivity. In people with diabetes, careful management of blood sugar levels is also very important in helping to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease. Smoking tobacco significantly increases the chance of developing cardiovascular disease. Smoking damages and narrows the arteries, making angina pectoris and heart attack more likely. Angina pectoris is a condition characterized by pain or discomfort in the center of the chest, caused by the heart muscle not getting enough blood.
Soon after quitting smoking, health benefits such as improved circulation, better taste and smell and a stronger immune system can usually be noticed. Doctors and other health professionals are able to offer advice on how to quit smoking. Physical inactivity is an important risk factor for cardiovascular disease. To see substantial health benefits, experts recommend that adults do at least minutes of moderate to high-intensity exercise per week. If this is not possible, any amount of physical activity is always preferable to none at all.
Being overweight is another leading risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Eating an unhealthy diet and being physically inactive are both contributing factors to being overweight, which is generally defined as having a body mass index BMI outside the normal range. Taking steps to lose weight through lifestyle and dietary changes can help reduce the risk of a range of cardiovascular conditions, including coronary heart disease and congestive heart failure.
Eating an unhealthy diet is a significant risk factor for cardiovascular disease. To lower the risk, a balanced diet made up of plenty of fruits and vegetables, complex carbohydrates and protein should be aimed at and excess fats, salts and sugars avoided. Alcohol should also be consumed in moderation, if at all.
In many countries, this is defined as a maximum of 14 units of alcohol per week, with some experts recommending half that for women. The week should include several alcohol-free days. Q: What are heart disease risk factors? A: Risk factors for heart disease and other cardiovascular disease include:. Q: What are examples of modifiable risk factors for cardiovascular disease? Heart disease is the leading cause of death for people of most racial and ethnic groups in the United States, including African Americans, American Indians and Alaska Natives, and white people.
Skip directly to site content Skip directly to page options Skip directly to A-Z link. Heart Disease. Section Navigation. Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Syndicate. Know Your Risk for Heart Disease. Minus Related Pages. You can take steps to lower your risk for heart disease by changing the factors you can control.
What behaviors increase the risk of heart disease? Your lifestyle can increase your risk for heart disease. Eating a diet high in saturated fats, trans fat, and cholesterol has been linked to heart disease and related conditions, such as atherosclerosis. Also, too much salt sodium in the diet can raise blood pressure. Not getting enough physical activity can lead to heart disease.
It can also increase the chances of having other medical conditions that are risk factors, including obesity, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and diabetes. Regular physical activity can lower your risk for heart disease. Drinking too much alcohol can raise blood pressure levels and the risk for heart disease. It also increases levels of triglycerides, a fatty substance in the blood which can increase the risk for heart disease.
Women should have no more than 1 drink a day. These strategies might include quitting smoking, taking medicine, exercising, eating more fruits and vegetables and drinking less alcohol. About us What is absolute risk? Upcoming Webinar: Pressure Wise Learn more about blood pressure and how you can improve your heart health. Heart Healthy Dinner Plan Sign up now and discover delicious, easy to follow dinner recipes.
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