Risk Factor Of Heart Disease.
                     RISK FACTOR OF 
HEART DISEASE
INTRODUCTION
• Cardiovascular disease can take many forms: high blood pressure, coronary artery disease, 
valvular heart disease, stroke, or arrhythmias.
• According to the World Health Organization, cardiovascular disease causes more than 17 million 
deaths in the world each year and is responsible for half of all deaths in the United States.
Source: www.texasheart.org
MAJOR RISK 
FACTORS
High Blood Pressure (Hypertension)
• High blood pressure increases your risk of heart disease, heart attack, and stroke. If you are 
obese, smoke, or have high blood cholesterol levels along with high blood pressure, your risk of 
heart disease or stroke greatly increases.
Source: www.texasheart.org
High Blood Cholesterol
• One of the major risk factors for heart disease is high blood cholesterol. Cholesterol, a fat-like 
substance carried in your blood, is found in all of your body’s cells. 
Source: www.texasheart.org
Diabetes
• Heart problems are the leading cause of death among people with diabetes, especially in the 
case of adult-onset or Type 2 diabetes (also known as non-insulin-dependent diabetes). 
Source: www.texasheart.org
Obesity and Overweight
• Extra weight can lead to increased high cholesterol levels, high blood pressure, and diabetes, all 
major  risk factors for heart disease.
Source: www.texasheart.org
Physical Inactivity
• People who are not active have a greater risk of heart attack than do people who exercise 
regularly. 
• Exercise burns calories to help maintain a healthy weight, helps to control cholesterol levels and 
diabetes, and may lower blood pressure. Exercise also strengthens the heart muscle and makes 
the arteries more flexible. 
Source: www.texasheart.org
Heredity
• Heart disease tends to run in families. For example, if your parents or siblings had a heart or 
circulatory problem before age 55, then you are at greater risk for heart disease than someone 
who does not have that family history. 
Source: www.texasheart.org
Stress: Contributing Risk Factors
• Stress is considered a contributing risk factor for heart disease. The effects of emotional stress, 
behavior habits, and socioeconomic status on the risk of heart disease and heart attack are still 
being studied.
Source: www.texasheart.org
Modifiable risk factors
• Some major risk factors can be modified, treated or controlled through medications or lifestyle 
change.
Source: www.texasheart.org