Many things increase your risk of heart disease:
- Men in their 40s have a higher risk of CHD than women, but as women get older (especially if it comes to menopause), the risk increases almost to equal that of men. (See: Heart disease and women)
- Bad genes (heredity) can increase the risk. In fact, one is more likely to develop the condition if someone in your family has suffered, especially if it was before 50 years, and the risk increases as you get older.
- Diabetes is a potent risk factor for heart disease.
- High blood pressure increases the risk of coronary artery disease and heart failure.
- Abnormal levels of cholesterol: LDL ( “bad”) should be as low as possible and HDL ( “good”) should be as high as possible.
- The metabolic syndrome refers to high triglyceride levels, hypertension, excess body fat around the waist and increased insulin levels. People with this group of problems are more likely to develop heart disease.
- Smokers have a much higher risk of heart disease than nonsmokers.
- Chronic kidney disease may increase the risk.
- The fact already have atherosclerosis or atherosclerosis elsewhere in the body (examples are stroke and abdominal aortic aneurysm) increases the risk of CHD.
- Other risk factors include excessive alcohol consumption, not enough exercise and excessive amounts of stress.
Levels above normal inflammation-related substances such as C-reactive protein and fibrinogen, are being studied as possible indicators of increased risk of heart disease. Elevated levels of a chemical called homocysteine, an amino acid, are also associated with an increased risk of heart attack.
