Risk Factors That Can't Be Modified

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Risk Factors That Can't Be Modified

Cardiovascular Institute

Prevention

Heredity

Family history definitely plays a role in heart disease. When parents or siblings develop coronary artery disease before age 55 in males or before age 65 in females, the risk of developing heart disease early in life doubles. How much is influenced by heredity and how much by lifestyle habits is still unknown. Genetic factors may be present without heart disease developing. When lifestyle factors such as smoking are added to a genetically susceptible individual the result is the development of cardiovascular disease. A family may also have patterns that dramatically increase risk such as smoking, obesity, high fat diets and sedentary lifestyles. A true genetic component causing very elevated cholesterol levels can be linked with some pronounced, accelerated forms of arteriosclerosis.

Age and Gender

Contrary to a long-standing belief, heart disease is an equal opportunity killer. Nearly half of all heart attack victims are women, and a woman is 7.5 times more likely to die of a heart attack or stroke than breast or lung cancer.

Men tend to have heart attacks earlier in life and are more likely to survive them. Within the first year following a heart attack, 39 percent of women die compared to 31 percent of men. African-American women have a 28 percent higher heart disease death rate than white women. After menopause, a woman's risk of heart attack rises steadily.

Since the buildup of fatty deposits continues throughout life, the risk of coronary artery disease and heart attack increases with age for both sexes. Eighty percent of heart attack deaths occur after age 65. Developing healthy lifestyle habits early helps minimize risk later in life.

Prior History of Vascular Disease

Anyone with a prior history of vascular disease is at a higher risk of developing coronary artery disease and stroke. This includes a history of:

Diabetes increases the risk of developing vascular disease. All diabetics should adhere to the more stringent guidelines that are recommended for those with a prior history of vascular disease.


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Risk Factors That Can't Be Modified

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Heredity

Age and Gender

Prior History of Vascular Disease