Extensive research has identified many factors that increase the risk of coronary disease. Some of these risk factors are uncontrollable, such as family history or age, but you can eliminate many contributing factors by making changes in your lifestyle and diet. The more risk factors you have, the greater your chance is for developing coronary disease. Have you ever asked yourself, "Am I at risk for having a heart attack?" Below are some factors that may give you an answer.



Risk Factors That Can't Be Changed



Age



More than 83 percent of people who die from heart attacks are 65 or older. Additionally, older women who have heart attacks are more likely to die from them in the first few weeks after the attack.



Heredity



Those with family histories of heart attacks are more likely to suffer from coronary disease. African Americans, Mexican Americans, American Indians, native Hawaiians and some Asian Americans have a higher risk of heart disease, due in part to higher rates of obesity, high blood pressure, and diabetes.



Gender



Overall, men suffer from heart attacks more often than women, and they tend to have heart attacks at an earlier age. The rate of heart attacks in women increases after menopause, but not to the level found in men.



Risk Factors You Can Control



Tobacco Use



Smokers develop coronary heart disease at two to four times the rate of nonsmokers. Cigarette smoking doubles the risk of sudden cardiac death in patients with coronary heart disease. Exposure to other people's smoke can increase the risk even in nonsmokers.



High Blood Pressure



High blood pressure overworks your heart, causing it to thicken and become stiffer. When high blood pressure is combined with high blood cholesterol, obesity, smoking, or diabetes, the risk increases several times.



High Blood Cholesterol



High blood cholesterol levels also increase your risk of coronary heart disease. When combined with other factors, the risk increases. A diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and grains along with medication can be useful in lowering high blood cholesterol.



Physical Inactivity



A sedentary lifestyle increases the chance for developing coronary heart disease. Regular exercise helps the heart and can also help control obesity, blood cholesterol, and blood pressure.



Being Overweight



High levels of body fat, especially around the waist, lead to an increased risk of developing heart disease. The extra weight increases the heart's workload. By losing as few as 10 pounds, you can lower your risk.



Diabetes Mellitus



About three quarters of people with diabetes die from coronary heart disease. Even when blood sugar levels are controlled, the risk is increased, and when the levels are not controlled, the risk is even greater.



Stress



The way you respond to stress may also be a contributing factor to developing heart disease. Stress may also affect other factors. For example, people suffering from stress may overeat, begin smoking or smoke more than usual, or drink alcohol to excess. Too much alcohol can produce irregular heartbeats and lead to obesity, as well.



Unfortunately, heart disease usually exhibits no symptoms; therefore, preventive screening is extremely important. Easy, non-invasive tests using color Doppler ultrasound and computer oscillometry can identify your risk of heart disease through determining if you have developed peripheral arterial disease, which causes you to be four to six times more likely to die from a heart attack. These tests can also provide information as to whether you have symptomless abdominal aortic aneurysms, which cause death in 90 percent of patients soon after arriving at the hospital.