Risk Factors For Heart Disease Flashcards, test questions and answers
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What is Risk Factors For Heart Disease?
Heart disease is one of the leading causes of death in the United States. It affects millions of Americans and can greatly reduce quality of life. Knowing about risk factors for heart disease can help individuals take preventive measures to reduce their own risk and lead a healthier lifestyle. A few primary risk factors for heart disease include age, gender, family history, smoking, physical inactivity, hypertension (high blood pressure), high cholesterol, obesity and diabetes. Age is an important factor because people over 65 are at a greater risk than younger people. Gender also plays a role; men are more likely than women to suffer from heart disease. Family history is also important: individuals with close relatives who have had heart disease are more likely to develop it themselves. Smoking cigarettes or using other forms of tobacco increases the chances of developing heart disease significantly. Additionally, physical inactivity leads to weight gain and an increased likelihood of developing conditions such as hypertension or diabetes which can contribute to the development of heart disease. High levels of cholesterol and triglycerides can also increase one’s chances for developing it; this is why it’s important to maintain a healthy diet that includes high-fiber foods like fruits and vegetables as well as low-fat proteins like lean chicken or fish instead of red meat or processed foods that are higher in saturated fat content Finally, those who suffer from obesity or diabetes (both type 1 and type 2) have an increased risk for developing heart disease due to the presence of other conditions such as high blood pressure or poor circulation which accompany these illnesses. By understanding these common risk factors for developing heart diseases, individuals can take steps towards reducing their own risks by making lifestyle modifications such as quitting smoking/tobacco use, getting regular exercise (at least 30 minutes daily), eating healthy foods low in saturated fat content and maintaining good control over any existing medical conditions they may have (such as diabetes).