Dr. Alan Cross

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last updated: 08/01

Heart Disease Information:
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Risk Factors
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Risk factors for heart disease can be broken down into those that we can control and those that we can't.  Risk factors that can be controlled include:
***High Blood Pressure occurs when the heart has to exert an 
      inordinate amount of pressure to push the blood through the 
      system.  It offers no warning signals so it must be checked 
      during periodic physician visits.
***High Blood Cholesterol is a condition typically caused by 
      a diet high in saturated fat and cholesterol.  Some cholesterol
      is necessary, but this condition is generally characterized by 
      excessive LDL cholesterol.  High blood cholesterol is 
      exacerbated by smoking and lack of exercise.  It can be 
      reversed by diet and, in extreme cases, medications.
***Smoking is a risk factor that can be eliminated entirely. 
      Cigarette smoking contributes to the development of cancer, 
      emphysema, heart disease, and complicates most other diseases.
***Obesity increases risk in a number of ways.  It raises blood 
      cholesterol and pressure and often leads to adult-onset 
      diabetes.  Obesity itself is harmful to the circulatory system. 
      The best way to minimize this risk is through a balanced diet 
      and exercise.
***Diabetes is the inability of the body to produce or respond to 
      insulin properly.  Insulin allows sugar (glucose) into cells from 
      the blood.  Otherwise sugar stays in the blood where it can 
      contribute to high blood pressure and the development of 
      plaques, as well as cause damage to the arterial walls and 
      increase fat production.
***Physical Inactivity increases a person’s risk of heart disease 
      by itself and also by contributing to high cholesterol, obesity 
      and diabetes.  Regular exercise increases cardiovascular 
      fitness and helps control blood pressure.
***Alcohol raises the levels of fats in the blood, raises blood 
      pressure, and can lead to heart failure.  Drinking may damage 
      the heart and increases the risk of abnormal heart rhythms. 
      It also contributes to the development of diseases of liver, 
      pancreas, and the nervous system as well as problems in 
      school and at home.

Risk factors that cannot be controlled include:
***Age – the older you are, the more likely you are to develop
      heart disease.  Remember that the risk starts early, so that 
      the more you control it now, the greater is your chance to be 
      disease-free later.
***Gender – men are more likely to have heart attacks than 
      women.  However, after age 50, the risk is the same for men 
      and women.
***Family History can influence risk.  This is mainly due to a 
     tendency to have higher cholesterol and blood pressures in 
     families.  Also, habits such as smoking, a diet high in fats and 
     cholesterol, and physical inactivity are habits passed on in 
     families.