Cardiac Risk Factor Modification Program
Cardiac Risk Factors
 More than 58 million Americans have one or more types of cardiovascular
disease and many more are at risk for developing it. As our understanding
of heart disease grows, so does our knowledge about risk factors. There
are major risk factors that are definitely associated with increases in
heart disease such as increasing age, heredity, smoking, high blood
pressure, high cholesterol and physical inactivity. Men and postmenopausal
women are at greater risk.
There are also contributing risk factors which are less precisely
understood, such as stress, obesity and socioeconomic status. The more risk
factors you have, the greater the chance you may develop cardiovascular
disease. Some risk factors can be changed and some can't.
Risk factors that can't be changed
- Heredity - Children of parents with cardiovascular
disease are more likely to develop it themselves. African-Americans
generally have more severe hypertension than Caucasians, so their risk
of heart disease is greater.
- Gender - Men have a greater risk of heart attack than
premenopausal women and generally have attacks earlier in life.
- Age - Approximately four out of five people who die of a
heart attack are over 65. At older ages, women are twice as likely as
men to die within a few weeks of a heart attack.
Risk factors that can be changed
- Smoking - Cigarette smoking is the biggest risk factor for
sudden cardiac death. Smokers' risk of heart attack is more than
twice that of nonsmokers. Quit
smoking help
- High blood cholesterol levels - The risk of coronary artery
disease rises as blood cholesterol levels increase. When other
risk factors (such as high blood pressure and cigarette smoking)
are present, this risk increases even more. Healthy
eating tips
- High blood pressure - High blood pressure increases the
heart's workload, causing it to enlarge and weaken over time. It also
increases the risk of stroke, heart attack, kidney failure and
congestive heart failure.
- Physical inactivity - Even modest levels of low-intensity physical
activity are beneficial if done regularly and long term. Exercise
can help control blood cholesterol, diabetes and obesity as well
as help lower blood pressure. Exercise
ideas
- Obesity - People with an excessive amount of body fat
are more likely to develop heart disease even if they have no
other risk factors. Excess weight increases the strain on the
heart; it influences blood pressure and cholesterol and can lead
to diabetes. Weight
loss programs
- Stress - Scientists have noted a relationship between coronary
heart disease and chronic stress. De-stressing
tips
- Substance abuse - People with a history of substance abuse,
particularly cocaine and alcohol abuse, place themselves at risk for
heart disease.
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