Having even one risk factor will increase a person's chances of developing heart problems. People with two or more risk factors may be at far higher risk.
These are some of the risks factors you can do less about, but knowing about them can make a difference to the way you approach the lifestyle choices you can make for yourself.
1. Age
Your risk of high blood pressure, heart disease and stroke increases as you get older”especially after you reach 45 for men and 55 for women.
2. Family History
A family history of premature heart disease or stroke can double your own risk of cardiovascular disease.
3. Gender: Male/Female
You've probably heard that women on average develop heart disease 10 years later than men - which means women are still at high risk.
4. Over Weight
If you are more than 30% over your ideal weight your are more likely to develop coronary heart disease and stroke even if you have no other risk factors.
5. High Blood Pressure
Keep your blood pressure under control, because it's a significant risk factor for heart attacks and stroke. 25% of all adults have high blood pressure, and 1/3 of them don't know it. Track you blood pressure and know the numbers!
6. Lack of Exercise
Regular
exercise can reduce your risk of developing coronary heart disease.
Even modest levels of low-intensity exercise are beneficial if done
regularly. Keep moving your body!
7. A diet high in starchy carbohydrates and sugar
In is now known that insulin resistance significantly increases the risk for heart disease. Eating a balance of nutrients - proteins carbs and fats along with eating less processed food can have a positive effect on reversing insulin resistance. Improve your diet today!
8. Smoking and Excessive Alcohol Consumption
After 1 year of not smoking, the risk of coronary artery disease decreases by 50%. Quit Now!
If you drink two or more alcoholic drinks every day it increases your risk of coronary artery disease. Low alcohol consumption appears to be a benefit whereas excess increases our risk!
9. Stress
Stress can narrow your arteries, increase your blood pressure and increase the workload on your heart and rupture a plaque in your coronary artery, causing a heart attack. Find a way to de-stress and reduce your risk!
10.Diabetes
Diabetes drugs increase your risk of heart attack by 250%. Prevention of diabetes is the key! Improving all of the above will help reduce your risk.