The Risk Factors of Heart Disease and Heart Attack You Should Know

A recent study conducted by a team of international researchers from Oxford University, University College London (UCL) and the University of Lausanne, Switzerland have found a relationship between more staying in education and lower risk of heart disease. Medical journal BMJ, United Kingdom published the study with strong evidences.

The study is not my topic of discussion here. Let us know the risk factors of coronary heart disease which leads to heart attack.

According to American Heart Association, there are three types of risk factors of coronary heart disease. The factors are-

• Major risk factors
• Modifiable risk factors and
• Contributing risk factors

Yes, Major risk factors are not changeable. For example-

• Increasing age
• Male gender and
• Heredity (with Race)

If you are older than 65 years, you have more risk of coronary heart disease. And the risk of heart attack is more if you are a woman. But actually the risk of heart disease and heart attack is more in male gender overall. The third unchangeable factor is family history including race. Studies have found more coronary heart disease and heart attack in some races.

The Major changeable risk factors are:

• Tobacco smoke 
• High blood cholesterol
• High blood pressure
• Physical inactivity
• Obesity and overweight
• Diabetes mellitus

The smoke of cigarette increases the risk of heart disease for not only the smokers but also the nonsmokers. If you have coronary heart disease, you have more risk of sudden cardiac death if you smoke cigarette.

The amount of High-Density-Lipoprotein (HDL), Low-Density-Lipoprotein (LDL) and Triglycerides determine the level of cholesterol in the blood. High HDL and low LDL is good. The levels of normal triglycerides vary from age and sex. High triglycerides combined with low HDL and high LDL increases the risk of heart attack as well as stroke.

High blood pressure is responsible for heart attack and congestive heart failure. Physical inactivity is responsible for coronary heart disease. If you are overweight, you have more risk of heart disease and stroke even if you do not have other risk factors.

Diabetes is responsible for developing cardiovascular disease. Sixty eight percent of people under the age of 65 who have diabetes die of some form of heart disease.

The other contributing risk factors of heart disease are:

• Stress
• Alcohol and 
• Diet and Nutrition 

Coronary heart disease is related to stress. Some scientists have noted it. On the other hand, cardiomyopathy is related to drinking too much alcohol. But, if you want to fight against cardiovascular diseases, you have to take healthy foods.

If you are interested to know details about the risk factors of heart disease, you can visit heart.org. They have explained everything so nicely.