Certain groups of people are at a greater risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) than others independent of age and ethnicity.
 

WHAT ARE THE RISK FACTORS?

Some risk factors can’t be changed (major non-modifiable) and include: (i) Family history of heart disease, (ii) sex – males are at a greater risk then females, (iii) age – the incidence of CVD increases with age.

Other risks can be influenced (major modifiable): (i) Smoking, (ii) elevated cholesterol levels, (iii) hypertension, (iv) obesity and (v) inactivity.

Other risk factors include: (i) Stress, (ii) Diabetes, (iii) the contraceptive pill, (iv) increased uric acid levels – often associated with excessive alcohol consumption and (v) homocysteneine levels.

Family History:

If one of your parents died from CVD before 60 years of age your chance of suffering a similar fate is doubled! Knowing this means you can pay particular attention to lowering those modifiable risk factors.
 

Cigarette Smoking:

This is THE most important modifiable risk factor. Heavy smoking doubles the chance of suffering from CVD. The good news is that giving up quickly decreases the incidence of CVD, over time back to levels as though you’d never smoked.

Sex and Age:

Death rates from CVD increases with age for both men and women. Death rates for men from CVD are higher than for women up until age 50 when women “catch up” due to loosing the protective influence of oestrogen due to menopause.
 

Elevated Blood Cholesterol Levels:

In general terms, the higher the cholesterol the higher the risk. The National Heart Foundation recommends total cholesterol levels be kept below 5.0mmol/L. Knowing the ratio of good (HDL) to bad (LDL) is also very important.

Hypertension:

There is a very close relationship between CVD and hypertension, also know “high blood pressure (or HBP)”. About 1 in 6 Australians suffer from this malady and many don’t even know they have it (hence HBP often being known as “the silent killer”) because early symptoms aren’t pronounced. Once diagnosed hypertension can be treated by lifestyle changes and drug therapy.
 

Physical Inactivity:

There is a strong link between physical inactivity and the development of CVD. Physical activity also modifies other risk factors such as being overweight, elevated blood pressure and cholesterol levels/ratios. 50% of the Australian population don’t exercise enough, 13% are completely inactive. Even light to moderate levels of physical activity can produce protective effects (e.g. Walking 30 minutes per day most days).
 

Obesity/overweight:

Being obese or even overweight directly increases the incidence of CVD, it also elevates blood pressure and influences cholesterol levels.
 

Diabetes:

Physiologically speaking, suffering from diabetes has a similar effect on the body as having had suffered a heart attack! Diabetes lowers the control of blood glucose levels which increases the risk of CVD. Diabetics can benefit from even moderate levels of exercise as this improves muscle sensitivity to blood glucose producing greater regulatory effects.

The Pill:

Combining the contraceptive pill with family history, smoking, age, diabetes, etc. greatly increases the risk of CVD. If you’re using the pill make sure you lower the other risk factors as best you can.
 

Homocysteine Levels:

Homocysteine levels are a consequence of protein metabolism. A diet high in plant based foods without excessive amounts of protein will help (a) lower homocysteine levels and (b) increase B group vitamin and important anti-oxidant nutrients.
 

Alcohol:

Alcohol can have important interplay with other risk factors. For example even moderate levels of alcohol consumption can further raise blood pressure, alter blood chemistry and contribute to weight problems. The moderate consumption of alcohol – particularly red wine – can be beneficial for heart health.

Stress:

Stressful events can induce cardiac arrhythmias and further elevate already elevated blood pressure increasing the possibility of a cardiac event. Lowering stress levels will help to lower the possibility of a cardiac event.
 

Interplay of risk factors:

None of the above risk factors occur in isolation. Typically those people who exhibit one risk factor will exhibit a range of risk factors. Consciously lowering and controlling those risk factors that are within your control will greatly lower the possibility of you suffering from CVD in the future.
 

Prevention is far more beneficial than treatment!