Anyone can get heart disease or vascular disease. But many people have no early symptoms of disease. That's why you should know the "risk factors"—the conditions or lifestyle choices that increase your chances of having heart and vascular disease. Some risk factors
- Over 50 years of age
- High blood pressure
- High cholesterol
- Atherosclerosis
- Diabetes
- Smoking
- Being overweight
- Being male
- Previous heart disease or stroke
- Family history of heart or vascular disease
- Stress
- Lack of exercise
- Unhealthy diet
Condition-Specific Risk Factors
For Example:
- Heart infections increase risk of heart valve disease
- Family history and male gender increase risk of aortic aneurysm
- Prolonged bed rest increases risk of deep vein thrombosis
- Diabetes increases risk of coronary artery disease
- Emotions, caffeine, decongestants increase risk of palpitations
Take Control of Some Risk Factors
For Example:
- You can exercise more and eat better
- You can quit smoking
- You can take medications to control diabetes or lower cholesterol
You can't control all risk factors like age or family history. Your doctor will check your risk factors along with your symptoms and test results as part of your examination. Your doctor can also help you control your risk factors.