Healthy coronary arteries are flexible, strong and elastic. But, with exposure to certain risk factors and time they become less flexible and acquire plaque deposits. This can lead to atherosclerosis or coronary artery disease. Avoid the risk factors that can cause coronary artery disease and you'll also decrease your risk of heart attack, stroke and peripheral vascular disease.
Uncontrolled Factors
There are several risk factors of coronary artery disease that are not controllable. According to the American Heart Association those risk factors include age, gender and family history. As people age, the risk of coronary artery disease increases. Men have a greater risk of death from coronary artery disease than do women, even after menopause. And, children of parents who have had heart disease have a higher risk of developing the condition themselves.
Smoking
According to the National Heart Lung and Blood Institute, smoking can damage the vessels that feed the heart oxygen and nutrients. Smoking will tighten the blood vessels and decrease the amount of blood available to the muscle as well as raise cholesterol levels and increase blood pressure throughout the body. Smoking also doesn't allow enough oxygen to be delivered to tissues around the body, which increases the workload on the heart.
Alcohol
According to the American Heart Association, drinking too much alcohol can raise your blood pressure. This will cause an increased workload on the heart, which leads to heart failure and possibly stroke. Alcohol also is a contributing factor to raising triglyceride levels and obesity, both of which are risk factors for coronary artery disease.
High Cholesterol Levels
According to Mayo Clinic, high levels of cholesterol will increase the risk of forming plaques along the walls of the arteries. This condition is known as atherosclerosis and leads to coronary artery disease. Physicians are more concerned with your individual high-density lipoproteins or low-density lipoproteins rather than your overall cholesterol number. High levels of low-density lipoproteins or low levels of high-density lipoproteins will lead to plaque formation.
Blood Pressure
According to the National Heart Lung and Blood Institute, high blood pressure is a major risk factor in the development of coronary artery disease. Blood pressure is considered high if it is at or above 140/90 mmHg over a period of time. Blood pressure is the force against which the heart must pump blood to deliver oxygen and nutrients to the body.
Diabetes and Obesity
According to the American Heart Association, both diabetes and obesity are significant risk factors in the development of coronary artery disease and subsequent heart attacks and death. People who have excessive body fat around the waist are more likely to develop heart disease, even if they have no other risk factors. Type-2 Diabetes, often associated with obesity, will also seriously increase your risk. Even when glucose levels are under control, the risk is greater than those who do not have diabetes. Approximately 75 percent of people with diabetes will die from some form of heart disease.
Inactivity
According to the National Heart Lung and Blood Institute, inactivity is a risk factor that will worsen other risk factors for coronary artery disease. Inactivity will increase the risk of developing high blood pressure, obesity and diabetes. An increase in activity will decrease the risk of developing those conditions and will also help reduce stress levels.
Stress
According to the Mayo Clinic, stress that remains high or unrelieved in your life can damage your arteries and increase your risk of developing coronary artery disease.
