Non-Modifiable Risk Factors
Age
According to American Heart Association computations, about 80 percent of people who die from cardiovascular disease are 65 years and older. Age itself increases your risk of developing heart disease.
Gender
- 2/3 of US women have at least 1 risk factor
- More than 60% are overweight or obese
- 25% have almost NO physical activity
- More than 50% of women over 45 years old have hypertension
- 40% of women over 55 years old have elevated cholesterol. Low HDL (Less than 40mg) is a stronger risk factor for older women than older men
- Diabetes increases relative risk 3-7 fold for women
Family History
Your risk for developing heart disease increases if you have a relative who developed heart disease at an early age (before 55 years old). If your parents developed heart disease later in life, it may be age-related rather than genetic. While you can not change your genes, it is important to know your family medical history and share it with your doctor.
Ethnicity
African Americans are at a greater risk of developing cardiovascular disease.
Modifiable Risk Factors are called ”modifiable” because they can be changed or treated.
American Heart Association
Modifiable Risk Factors
High Blood Pressure
Researchers have found that there may be a gene that makes African Americans much more sensitive to the effects of salt, which in turn increases the risk for developing high blood pressure. In people who have this gene, as little as one extra gram (half a teaspoon) of salt could raise blood pressure by as much as five millimeters of mercury (mm Hg).
Diabetes
The African American population also tends to have higher rates of obesity and diabetes, which puts them at greater risk for high blood pressure and heart disease. But for many African American women, particularly those who consider themselves perfectly healthy, perception may not always equal reality.
Obesity
Cholesterol
Physical Inactivity
Smoking
Smoking is the most preventable risk factor. Smokers have more than twice the risk of developing cardiovascular disease. On average, smoking costs 13 years to a male smoker and 14 years to a female smoker. Exposure to smoke (second hand smoking) increases the risk even for non smokers. Among adults over 18 years old in the US, about 20% are current smokers.