Risk factors
There are multiple risk factors that contribute to the development of heart diseases. Some common ones include:
Age – Aging cause narrowing of the arteries and thickening (weakening) of the heart muscles.
Sex – In general, men of all ages are more prone to develop heart diseases. However, the risk increases many folds in women after menopause.
Family History – Genetics and family history play a major role in most cardiovascular diseases. It can be a risk factor for you if your close family members have a positive family history of any cardiac disease, especially before the age of 50.
Smoking – Tobacco is loaded with nicotine that has a strong property to cause vasoconstriction. Other ingredients in the cigarette such as carbon monoxide can cause hardening of your blood vessels – making you more susceptible to atherosclerosis and ischemic heart diseases.
Certain Drugs – Chemotherapy and drugs with cardiovascular side effects may increase your risk of heart diseases.
Poor Diet – Malnutrition and diets rich in fats, cholesterol, added sugars, and salt can cause narrowing of the blood vessels. Accumulation of cholesterol in the cardiac arteries is the number one cause of heart attack.
High Blood Pressure – Chronic hypertension can lead to the thickening and hardening of the arteries and cause obstruction to the flow of blood. It may weaken heart valves over time.
High Blood Cholesterol Levels – Eating diets rich in trans fats can increase the risk of atherosclerosis and the formation of plaques in the heart arteries.
Diabetes – Diabetes and heart diseases share common risk factors such as obesity, high blood pressure and narrowing of the blood vessels.
Physical Inactivity – Lack of physical activity also is linked to many forms of cardiac diseases and may contribute to some of its other risk factors, as well.
Poor Hygiene – Not regularly cleaning your hands or building other hygiene habits that can help prevent bacterial or viral infections can put you at great risk of catching heart infections. Poor dental hygiene also leads to endocarditis (infection of the heart).
Stress – High-stress levels may damage your blood vessels and worsen already underlying heart disease.