What Factors Increase the Risk of Coronary Heart Disease

Your blood pressure will increase your heart’s workload and cause the heart muscle to become thicker and stiffer. It increases your risk of heart attack and congestive failure.

What factors increase the risk of coronary heart disease that can also be modified? Your physical activity level is a great predictor of your risk of developing heart disease. Inactivity will increase your risk while moderate to vigorous activity will prevent heart and vessel disease. Physical activity will also help to control your weight, cholesterol, diabetes and lower blood pressure.

Although Diabetes Mellitus isn’t completely preventable it is completely controllable. People with diabetes have a much higher risk of developing coronary heart disease and stroke, especially if the blood sugar isn’t controlled. Diabetes can be well controlled with exercise and balanced nutrition.

Stress is another contributing factor to coronary heart disease. The link has been made and is conclusive. However, the reason why this link exists isn’t clear. It may be that people under a great deal of stress also overeat, smoke and drink alcohol or it may be that the stress causes arterial damage itself. The reasons may not be clear but doctors are certain that by decreasing your stress levels you will also decrease your risk for heart disease.

There are other factors that may contribute to the question “What factors increase the risk of coronary heart disease?” and scientists continue to research those factors. At this time researchers are studying the effects that C-reactive protein, homocysteine, fibrinogen and lipoprotein (a) have on the development of heart disease. Breakthroughs in research lead to better prevention and better treatment options for patients who already suffer from coronary heart disease.