Heart disease is a term that covers a wide variety of conditions affecting the heart and the blood vessels, the most common of which is coronary artery disease. In this condition, fatty buildup of plaque clogs and hardens the arteries that feed the heart muscle. This can lead to a heart attack and death of a portion of the heart muscle. According to the American Heart Association, heart disease is the No. 1 killer in America, responsible for one in four of all deaths. Years of clinical studies have shown that there are some predictable factors that increase your chance of developing heart disease.
Obesity
Individuals who are obese have a much higher risk of developing heart disease than those who are not. Obese individuals have greater mass, requiring the heart to work harder to pump blood through the system. This raises blood pressure, which is another significant risk factor of its own. Obese individuals are more likely to have high triglycerides and high LDL, or "bad," cholesterol and decreased HDL, or "good," cholesterol in the blood. These also can contribute to the formation of atherosclerosis and heart attack.
Smoking
Individuals who smoke have more than double the risk of developing heart disease as those who don't smoke, according to the American Heart Association. Tobacco smoke has more than 4,000 chemicals in it, some of which affect the cardiovascular system in a very harmful way. Nicotine damages the lining of blood vessels, causing them to clot much more easily, and it increases the level of carbon monoxide in the blood, reducing blood oxygen levels. Nicotine can promote the development of atherosclerosis, or hardening of the blood vessels. Smoking also exaggerates other risk factors many times over.
High Blood Pressure
Increased blood pressure has been linked to both heart disease and stroke. When the blood pressure rises, the heart must work harder, causing it to become enlarged, thick and inflexible. These factors combine to make it less effective. High blood pressure can also cause damage to the walls of arteries, leading to atherosclerosis and heart attack. Normal blood pressure should be less than 120 over 80, according to the American Heart Association.
Diabetes
If you have diabetes mellitus, you are at serious risk of developing heart disease. This condition can cause damage to blood vessels, and most individuals who have diabetes will die from some sort of heart disease. Blood sugar must be well controlled, and careful, appropriate medical management is critical to lowering your risk of heart disease.
Age
Most people who die from heart disease are over the age of 65. Age affects the elasticity of the heart and blood vessels, and older adults will likely have a cardiovascular system that is inefficient, making it work harder and increasing the risk of heart disease.
