Knowing whether or not you are at risk for heart disease, a heart attack, or a stroke is important. You may have risks other than high cholesterol. The more factors that place you "at risk" for a heart attack or stroke, the greater the chances are you or someone  you love may have a heart attack or stroke in his/her lifetime. Some risk factors can be changed or modified. Understanding and controlling these risk factors is the best way to keep your heart healthy.
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Age. As a person ages, the heart attack risk becomes stronger. That's why it is so important to be physically active and maintain a healthy weight. Data shows 85 percent of those who die of coronary heart disease are age 65 or older. Women who have heart attacks are two times as likely as men are to die from a heart attack in a matter of weeks. |
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Diabetes significantly increases Cardiovascular Disease. Controlling glucose levels is a must, but even then, diabetes seriously plays a role in heart disease. Almost half of those who have diabetes die of some form of heart disease. If you have diabetes, it is critically important for you to control the disease and keep yourself as healthy as you possibly can. |
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Male Gender, especially after age 45. Men have a greater risk of heart attack than women. Unlike women, men have attacks earlier in life. Even though after menopause, the heart attack risk for women increases, it is still lesser than males. Males are still at a higher risk.
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Female Gender after age 55, or one who has gone through menopause early. |
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Family History of Premature Coronary Heart Disease (before age 55 in father or brothers or before age 65 in mother or sisters). Children of parents who have had heart disease are more likely to inherit the genetics leading to heart disease. African Americans have a higher rate of High Blood Pressure than Whites. Therefore, their risk of heart disease is greater. |
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Lack of physical activity. Being physically active, even for just 30 minutes a day is the #1 prevention against heart attack and stroke. It doesn't have to be strenuous exercise, either. Regular moderately intense physical activity is just as beneficial as running! "Regular" and "long term" are the key words here. Exercise also helps control blood choleserol by raising the HDL level in the blood as well as controlling diabetes and obesity. |
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Obesity and overweight. Even if you have NO OTHER RISK FACTORS, being overweight puts you at a high risk for heart disease and stroke. Obesity is now considered a public health crisis because of the strain it puts on your heart. Since it influences diabetes, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol levels, it has a direct link to corornary heart problems. If you are overweight your risk of heart disease lessens with every 5 pounds you lose. |
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High levels of blood cholesterol. As cholesterol levels increase, so does the risk of heart disease and stroke. This, if combined with other risk factors mentioned on this page are present, the risk increases dramatically. Age, gender, diet, physical activity and genetic factors also play a part in high cholesterol levels. |
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High Blood Pressure (Hypertension). The higher your blood pressure, the greater your heart has to work. Over time, the heart will enlarge and become weak from overuse. High blood pressure also increases heart attack, stroke, and kidney problems. In addition, the following factors will increase the risk of heart attack and stroke:
 Tobacco Use
High Cholesterol Levels
Mild, moderate, or morbid overweight (Obese) problems
Diabetes |
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Tobacco Use. Those who use tobacco have a risk of heart attack which is is more than double that of nonsmokers. Those who smoke have the biggest risk for sudden cardiac arrest and heart attacks. Smokers have two to four times the risk of nonsmokers. In addition, smokers who have a heart attack have a tremendous risk for dying suddenly (even within the hour of the attack). Secondhand smoke also contributes to heart attacks.
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Low levels of *HDL in the blood (below 35 mg/dl):
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The Good Cholesterol in the blood |
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Should be greater than 35 mg/dl |
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Assists in the removal of Bad Cholesterol |
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