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There are several factors that increase a
person's risk of coronary heart disease (CHD) but cannot be changed.
They include:
Age and CHD
CHD usually occurs in men over age
of 40 or in women after menopause, and most people who die of
heart
attacks are over the age of
65.
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Sex and CHD
Men have a higher risk of heart attack than
women do, and men usually have heart attacks at earlier ages.
However, coronary heart disease
is not just a man's disease. It is the leading cause of death
among both women and men in the United States.
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Family history and CHD
A person with a close relative who had a heart attack
(especially before the age of 65) may be at higher risk of CHD.
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Most risk factors for CHD can be modified to reduce risk,
either through lifestyle changes or through medication, if needed. These
include:
Tobacco smoke and CHD
The chemicals in tobacco smoke increase
the build-up of plaque in artery walls and promote the development
of blood clots that can cause
heart attacks. Smoking increases the risk of coronary heart
disease itself, and it also enhances the detrimental effect
of other risk factors like diabetes, high
blood pressure (hypertension) and high cholesterol. Smokers
have more than twice the risk of heart attack compared to non-smokers.
Exposure to tobacco
smoke, including cigar, pipe or any kind of second-hand smoke,
increases your chance of coronary heart disease.
In addition to heart disease, tobacco also increases
your risk of
stroke,
peripheral vascular disease, emphysema, bronchitis,
osteoporosis and
cancers of the
lung,
bladder,
kidney,
pancreas,
cervix,
lip, mouth, tongue, larynx, throat and esophagus. For many
people, quitting smoking is the single best thing they can
do to improve their health.
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Weight and CHD
The risk of coronary heart disease goes up
as body weight increases. This is especially true for people
who carry extra
body fat around the waist (called "apple-shaped").
Extra weight puts extra strain on the whole body, increasing
the risk of diabetes, high
blood pressure and high cholesterol. Maintaining a healthy
weight has been proven to not only decrease the risk of heart
disease but also decrease
the risk of cancer of the
colon,
kidney,
breast and
uterus.
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Diet and CHD
There are many dietary factors that you can
use to lower your risk of heart disease. Foods like fruits, vegetables,
cereal fiber, whole grains
fish, nuts and liquid vegetable oils decrease the risk of CHD.
Certain vitamin supplements, like B complex supplements, are
also helpful in decreasing risk.
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Alcohol intake and CHD
Moderate alcohol (about one drink a day for
women and two for men) has been shown to decrease the risk of
CHD.
Limited use of alcohol may also decrease the risk of developing
diabetes.
However, non-drinkers should not start drinking.
Alcohol use has many of its own risks like increasing blood
pressure, body weight, heart
failure, addiction, suicide and accidents. People who limit
their use of alcohol also have a lower risk of
colon
cancer,
breast
cancer, and
stroke.
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Physical activity and CHD
Exercise is one of the best ways to help maintain
a healthy weight. Not only is exercise good for the heart, it
also helps
prevent other diseases such as
stroke,
osteoporosis,
diabetes and
colon
cancer.
Even just 30 minutes of moderate exercise (like walking) daily
can decrease your risk of disease.
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Blood pressure and CHD
Blood pressure is the force created when the
heart pumps blood. When a person has high blood pressure (hypertension),
the heart has to pump
harder and the arteries are under increased pressure, which
can lead to injury of the artery walls, atherosclerosis, and
coronary heart disease.
High blood pressure is also associated with an increased risk
of stroke and kidney damage. Some people are able to control
their
blood
pressure with diet and
exercise, while others need medication.
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Diabetes and CHD
Diabetes increases the risk of CHD in part by increasing the
risk of high blood cholesterol and high blood pressure. It may
also promote injury to the artery walls and formation of blood
clots. Avoiding smoking, staying physically active and maintaining
a healthy weight can all help control or prevent adult-onset
diabetes. Medication is also available if needed.
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Cholesterol and CHD
Two types of cholesterol are important in
CHD: low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and high-density lipoprotein
(HDL). LDL
can increase the build-up of cholesterol in artery
walls, causing atherosclerosis. It is considered the "bad" or
unhealthy cholesterol, and high levels
increases the risk of CHD. HDL, on the
other hand, helps remove cholesterol from the blood and helps
prevent cholesterol build-up in the arteries. It is known as "good
cholesterol". Blood
tests can show if your LDL is too high or if your HDL is too
low. Diet, exercise, weight control and avoiding smoking can
all help control your
cholesterol levels. Your doctor can also prescribe medications
if necessary.
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Hormone replacement and CHD
The ways that postmenopausal hormones affect
the risk of CHD are still not well understood. If you are taking
or considering
taking hormone replacement therapy, make sure to discuss the
risks and benefits with your
doctor.
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