Risk Factors For Heart Disease

Answer 1

Heart disease is the number one killer of all people in the United States; it doesn't discriminate based on age, sex, religion, race or lifestyle choices. There are certain risk factors that put some people at higher risk than others for heart disease, but the reality is that it can strike anyone at any given time. Properly educating yourself on the common risk factors can be a powerful weapon towards early diagnosis and treatment.

Certain risk factors of heart disease simply can't be avoided. These factors cannot be prevented or treated in any way, but understanding that they exist can help to easily identify symptoms at their onset and expedite the path towards treatment. Age is one factor that cannot be controlled. Over 80% of people that are killed as a result of heart disease are over the age of 65, and at that age, women are more likely than men to perish from this ailment. Men have historically higher rates of heart disease, and even though women that have experienced menopause have an increased risk, they are not at as high a risk as men.

Heredity and race can also play a role in the likely onset of heart disease. People with a long family history have shown to have a greater risk of developing the disease. Minorities, such as African Americans, Mexican Americans and Hawaiians tend to have higher rates of disease than Caucasians because higher blood pressure, Diabetes and obesity tend to be more prevalent in these individuals.

Of the factors that can be controlled with proper diet and medication, high blood pressure and high cholesterol are two of the most common. While heredity plays a role in both of these conditions, they can usually be controlled with healthy eating habits and prescription drugs. Physical inactivity, which can also lead to obesity, is another common risk factor that is easily treated with an appropriate exercise regimen. A Proper diet and regular exercise will help to reduce the amount of fat stored within the body and can drastically reduce the likelihood of developing heart disease.

Understanding that heart disease can hit anyone at any time is a scary proposition, but understanding the factors that can increase that risk can go along way towards prevention and identification of symptoms. Remember that it is advised to seek immediate medical attention if you feel as though you are experiencing any symptoms of heart disease.