Are You at Risk for Cardiovascular Disease?

Cardiovascular disease is any disease that affects the heart or blood vessel system. It is not one disease or condition, but a group of more than 60 different diseases. Over 70 million people in the U.S. have some form of cardiovascular disease - almost 25% of the population. With that many people at risk, knowing the risk factors of cardiovascular disease is important.

Some risk factors can be controlled; others are uncontrollable. One controllable risk factor is physical inactivity: 30 to 60 minutes of activity most days of the week will help reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease. Somewhat related as a risk factor is obesity: people who have too much body fat, particularly around the waist, have an increased risk (35-inch waist-measurement or more for women, 40-inch waist-measurement or more for men).

Another controlled risk factor is high blood pressure: a blood pressure of 140/90 puts an individual at increased risk. High cholesterol is also a risk factor: total blood cholesterol over 160 mg/dL, low-density lipoprotein (LDL) levels over 160 mg/dL (100 mg/dL or more for those with diabetes), or triglyceride levels over 150 mm/dL will increase an individual's risk of cardiovascular disease. Also, people with Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes have an increased risk.

Smoking is also a controllable risk factor: cigarette smokers have the greatest risk, followed by cigar and pipe smokers. Exposure to second-hand smoke also increases your risk.

Uncontrollable risk factors include increasing age: men 45 or older and women 55 or older have an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. Also, if there is a family history of cardiovascular disease before age 55, one is more likely to develop it. Finally, racial or ethnic background can increase risk: African Americans, Mexican Americans, American Indians, and other Native Americans are at greater risk than Caucasians.

Other factors that may contribute to cardiovascular disease are stress and hormone replacement therapy (HRT). People with unhealthy levels of stress or unhealthy responses to stress may have a greater risk. Some women who undergo HRT for the treatment of menopause may have an increased risk of stroke, heart attack, or blood clots.

Your best route to prevention of cardiovascular disease is to know these risk factors, to control those risk factors you can control, and to talk to your doctor if you have any of these risk factors.

Source: "Risk Factors for Cardiovascular Disease", FDA