Risk Factors for Coronary Heart Disease

Coronary heart disease is one of the most common and deadly diseases in the world and, unfortunately, has many different causes. You may be at risk for coronary heart disease—or other types of heart disease—based on factors such as age, diet, genetics, and pre-existing medical conditions. Your family history and personal health profile can also contribute to the possibility of heart disease. Today, Apex Cardiology professionals will outline the most significant risk factors for coronary heart disease.

Risk Factors for Coronary Heart Disease

1. High Blood Pressure 

A major contributor to the increased risk of heart disease is having consistently high blood pressure, medically referred to as hypertension. High blood pressure occurs as a result of stress, plaque buildup in the arteries—called atherosclerosis—, poor health habits, and other medical issues. Some people are born with blood pressure problems due to their genetics. Others might develop hypertension later in life as a result of unhealthy lifestyle habits. High blood pressure can build up for many years and go unnoticed, which is why regular check-ups are so important. Most risks can be detected and diagnosed through our non-invasive cardiac imaging treatments.

2. Smoking

It is no secret that smoking contributes to heart disease. The chemicals in tobacco can damage the lining of the coronary arteries and foster atherosclerosis. Nicotine, the other addictive chemical in cigarettes, also increases blood pressure while spreading your risk for cancer. Additionally, carbon monoxide from smoking has been shown to reduce the oxygen-carrying capacity of the blood. Each of these effects forces the heart to work harder, making it more likely that you will develop heart disease.

3. Diabetes

Folks with diabetes are at a huge risk of developing heart disease. This is because diabetes tends to raise blood sugar levels at an extreme rate. Excess blood sugar levels then interfere with the blood vessels and the nerves responsible for regulating heart functions. The majority of diabetic individuals also have other co-existent risk factors, such as high cholesterol levels, which only exacerbate heart disease symptoms. 

When being treated for diabetes, your doctor should also assess the health of your heart. This consultation provides an excellent opportunity to examine risk factors that you might have or be susceptible to as you manage your diabetes symptoms.

4. Family History and Genetics

Genetics and family history are two major contributors to the risk of heart disease. There is a higher risk of developing heart disease if immediate members of the family, parents or siblings, have had the disease at a relatively young age. As challenging as it may seem to treat a genetic complication, there are still a few things you can do to prevent future complications. The foremost of these include regular doctor’s visits and an intentional and healthy lifestyle routine.

5. Age and Sex

The risk of coronary heart disease increases as you get older. When they are younger, men are usually at a higher risk than women. As they age, especially after a woman has gone through menopause, this changes, and women are more likely to face heart disease. In fact, heart disease is the number one cause of death in women in the United States. Heart disease can look different in men and women, so women are likely underdiagnosed for the condition.

Age and sex both play an interesting role in your possible risks, especially as estrogen and testosterone levels change within the body. Other hormonal changes can also increase your risk of heart disease, especially as blood pressure levels fluctuate over time.

Assess Your Heart Disease Risk Today

Coronary heart disease is a serious issue that you may be at risk for, depending on your age and health. Luckily, there are plenty of actions you can take to prevent and minimize your risk. Such activities include regular exercise, healthy dietary habits, quitting smoking, and controlling your blood pressure. 

Visit our cardiology center to assess your risk for heart disease and to make healthy changes for a healthy future.