Risk Factors for Coronary Heart Disease

• Coronary heart disease is on the rise but some risk factors can be controlled. Be aware of what causes heart disease
• There are three major factors that cannot be changed. They are increasing age, gender and heredity issues
• People 65 and older, especially women, are more likely to die from heart attack
• African Americans with high blood pressure, Mexican Americans, American Idnians, native Hawaiians and some Asian Americans are more prone to develop heart disease

Knowing what the risk factors for coronary heart disease is something that everyone needs to consider when it comes to their health. Each year coronary heart disease statistics go up and many people have no idea what causes heart disease. Some risk factors for coronary heart disease can be controlled while others cannot and the more prepared you are to fight cardiovascular heart disease, the better off you will be as you get older.

According to extensive studies that have been done on this disease, coronary heart disease statistics show that there are three major risk factors that cannot be changed. These factors are increasing age, your gender, and heredity issues. Cardiovascular heart disease is more common with people who are aged 65 and older with women being more likely to die from heart attacks than men. However, men have a greater risk of heart attack due to cardiovascular heart disease then men do. Additionally, heredity factors including race play a big part in deciding who gets the disease with African American’s with high blood pressure, Mexican Americans, American Indians, native Hawaiians and some Asian Americans all being more prone to developing heart disease than Caucasians.

The above factors are ones that you cannot control. What causes heart disease that you can control? Based on the American Heart Association’s coronary heart disease statistics you can control the following factors and by controlling them reduce your risk of developing the disease:

• Tobacco smoking – one of the biggest factors in what causes heart disease is smoking and smokers are two to four times more prone to developing cardiovascular heart disease than people who do not smoke. Cigarette smoking combines with other risk factors to increase the potential risk of getting the disease.
• High blood cholesterol – usually affected by age, sex, heredity factors, and diet, this can be controlled usually by medication, diet and exercise.
• Physical inactivity – getting up and moving can keep the heart pumping and prevent heart and blood vessel disease. While aerobic exercise is preferred, light to moderate exercise helps as well.
• Obesity and overweight – losing weight helps the heart and lowers the blood pressure so that the heart is not being taxed by carrying around excess weight.
• Diabetes mellitus – managing and controlling your diabetes helps lower the risk of developing coronary heart disease.

There are other factors that can contribute to your risk of heart disease and knowing what causes heart disease ahead of time will help you avoid these additional factors. The way a person responds to stress in their life is one risk factor that needs to be considered. People react to stress by overeating, smoking, or smoking more than they normally would. People who drink too much are also increasing their chances of developing heart disease.

By being aware of what causes heart disease allows you to be proactive in taking care of yourself and staying healthy. The sooner you start, the better off you will be later in life. Coronary heart disease is not something you want to worry about when you retire.

Heart disease can be prevented by keeping your blood pressure down by using supplements likeCardio Smart. If you already have heart disease, Astragalus Organic is a great herbal medication to begin taking.

The information supplied in this article is not to be considered as medical advice and is for educational purposes only.