9.3: Risk Factors for Cardiovascular Disease
- Page ID
- 108123
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\(\newcommand{\avec}{\mathbf a}\) \(\newcommand{\bvec}{\mathbf b}\) \(\newcommand{\cvec}{\mathbf c}\) \(\newcommand{\dvec}{\mathbf d}\) \(\newcommand{\dtil}{\widetilde{\mathbf d}}\) \(\newcommand{\evec}{\mathbf e}\) \(\newcommand{\fvec}{\mathbf f}\) \(\newcommand{\nvec}{\mathbf n}\) \(\newcommand{\pvec}{\mathbf p}\) \(\newcommand{\qvec}{\mathbf q}\) \(\newcommand{\svec}{\mathbf s}\) \(\newcommand{\tvec}{\mathbf t}\) \(\newcommand{\uvec}{\mathbf u}\) \(\newcommand{\vvec}{\mathbf v}\) \(\newcommand{\wvec}{\mathbf w}\) \(\newcommand{\xvec}{\mathbf x}\) \(\newcommand{\yvec}{\mathbf y}\) \(\newcommand{\zvec}{\mathbf z}\) \(\newcommand{\rvec}{\mathbf r}\) \(\newcommand{\mvec}{\mathbf m}\) \(\newcommand{\zerovec}{\mathbf 0}\) \(\newcommand{\onevec}{\mathbf 1}\) \(\newcommand{\real}{\mathbb R}\) \(\newcommand{\twovec}[2]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\ctwovec}[2]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\threevec}[3]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cthreevec}[3]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\fourvec}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cfourvec}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\fivevec}[5]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \\ #5 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cfivevec}[5]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \\ #5 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\mattwo}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{rr}#1 \amp #2 \\ #3 \amp #4 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\laspan}[1]{\text{Span}\{#1\}}\) \(\newcommand{\bcal}{\cal B}\) \(\newcommand{\ccal}{\cal C}\) \(\newcommand{\scal}{\cal S}\) \(\newcommand{\wcal}{\cal W}\) \(\newcommand{\ecal}{\cal E}\) \(\newcommand{\coords}[2]{\left\{#1\right\}_{#2}}\) \(\newcommand{\gray}[1]{\color{gray}{#1}}\) \(\newcommand{\lgray}[1]{\color{lightgray}{#1}}\) \(\newcommand{\rank}{\operatorname{rank}}\) \(\newcommand{\row}{\text{Row}}\) \(\newcommand{\col}{\text{Col}}\) \(\renewcommand{\row}{\text{Row}}\) \(\newcommand{\nul}{\text{Nul}}\) \(\newcommand{\var}{\text{Var}}\) \(\newcommand{\corr}{\text{corr}}\) \(\newcommand{\len}[1]{\left|#1\right|}\) \(\newcommand{\bbar}{\overline{\bvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\bhat}{\widehat{\bvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\bperp}{\bvec^\perp}\) \(\newcommand{\xhat}{\widehat{\xvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\vhat}{\widehat{\vvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\uhat}{\widehat{\uvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\what}{\widehat{\wvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\Sighat}{\widehat{\Sigma}}\) \(\newcommand{\lt}{<}\) \(\newcommand{\gt}{>}\) \(\newcommand{\amp}{&}\) \(\definecolor{fillinmathshade}{gray}{0.9}\)Risk Factors for Cardiovascular Disease
Metabolic syndrome is a group of conditions that together raise your risk of coronary heart disease, diabetes, stroke, and other serious health problems. Metabolic syndrome is common in the United States; About 1 in 3 adults have metabolic syndrome. The good news is that it is largely preventable.
You might have metabolic syndrome if you have three or more of the following conditions:
- A large waistline: This is also called abdominal obesity or “having an apple shape.” Extra fat in your stomach area is a bigger risk factor for heart disease than extra fat in other parts of your body.
- High blood pressure: If your blood pressure rises and stays high for a long time, it can damage your heart and blood vessels. High blood pressure can also cause plaque, a waxy substance, to build up in your arteries. Plaque can cause heart and blood vessel diseases such as heart attack or stroke.
- High blood sugar levels: This can damage your blood vessels and raise your risk of getting blood clots. Blood clots can cause heart and blood vessel diseases.
- High blood triglycerides: Triglycerides are a type of fat found in your blood. High levels of triglycerides can raise your levels of LDL cholesterol, sometimes called bad cholesterol. This raises your risk of heart disease.
- Low HDL cholesterol, sometimes called good cholesterol: Blood cholesterol levels are important for heart health. “Good” HDL cholesterol can help remove “bad” LDL cholesterol from your blood vessels. “Bad” LDL cholesterol can cause plaque buildup in your blood vessels.
Risk factors you can control include:
- Lifestyle habits:
- Being inactive
- Eating an unhealthy diet and large portion sizes
- Not getting enough good quality sleep, which helps control how your body absorbs nutrients from the food you eat
- Smoking and drinking a lot of alcohol
- Occupation: Shift workers have a higher risk of metabolic syndrome because they often have circadian clocks that are not aligned with the environment. This can cause problems with how your body absorbs nutrients from food.
Risk factors you cannot control include:
- Age: Your risk of metabolic syndrome increases as you get older.
- Environment: Low socioeconomic status can lead to an unhealthy diet and an inactive lifestyle, and can cause you not to get enough sleep (sleep deprivation).
- Family history and genetics: Your genes can affect your weight or how your body responds to insulin. You have a higher risk of metabolic syndrome if others in your family have had diabetes, metabolic syndrome, or any of its risk factors.
- Other medical conditions: The following medical conditions can raise your risk of metabolic syndrome.
- Overweight and obesity are the main risk factors for metabolic syndrome because they can raise “bad” LDL cholesterol, blood triglycerides, and blood pressure, and lower “good” HDL cholesterol. Being overweight and obese during pregnancy can raise your child’s risk of metabolic syndrome. In infants, a low birth weight and rapid weight gain after birth can raise the risk of metabolic syndrome later in life.
- Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a condition that causes fluid-filled sacs called cysts to grow on the ovaries. The hormone changes that cause PCOS can also cause you to have a large waistline, high blood sugar levels, high triglyceride levels, and low levels of “good” HDL cholesterol.
- Problems with your immune system can cause some skin diseases such as psoriasis, which raise your risk. Certain cancer treatments that affect your immune system also can raise your risk.
- Sleep problems, including not getting enough sleep (sleep deprivation), circadian rhythm disorders, and sleep apnea, can raise your risk.
- Some medicines used to treat allergies, bipolar disorder, depression, HIV, and schizophrenia also raise your risk.
- Sex: In older adults, women have a higher risk of metabolic syndrome than men. This is because changes in hormone levels after menopause can raise the risk of a large waistline, high blood sugar levels, and low levels of “good” HDL cholesterol.
The Heart Health Risk Assessment is a valuable tool for evaluating your risk of heart disease and identifying steps to improve cardiovascular health. This assessment promotes awareness of heart health and encourages proactive strategies to reduce risks.
Instructions
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Access the Heart Health Risk Assessment:
- Visit the Heart Health Risk Assessment and follow the prompts to begin the evaluation.
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Complete the Assessment:
- Answer the questions honestly, providing accurate information about your lifestyle, family history, and health metrics (e.g., blood pressure, cholesterol levels).
- Submit your responses to receive a personalized report.
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Review Your Results:
- Examine the feedback, which may include your estimated risk level for heart disease and recommendations for improving heart health.
- Take note of specific factors that influence your risk (e.g., smoking, physical activity, diet).
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Reflect on Your Results:
- Summarize Your Results: Share your risk level and key insights from the assessment.
- Describe Your Feelings: Reflect on how the results align with your expectations. Were you surprised, motivated, or reassured? Why?
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Identify Next Steps:
- Explore the recommendations provided, such as adopting healthier eating habits, increasing physical activity, or scheduling a visit with a healthcare provider.
- Research resources or programs in your community to support heart health, such as exercise classes or nutrition workshops.
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Set a SMART Goal for Heart Health:
- Develop a specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART) goal to improve your cardiovascular health. For example: "I will walk briskly for at least 30 minutes, five days a week, for the next month to improve my cardiovascular fitness."
Additional Resources
- American Heart Association (AHA): Visit heart.org for information on heart disease prevention and management.
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): Learn more about heart health at cdc.gov/heartdisease.
- Local Healthcare Providers: Schedule a check-up to discuss your heart health and receive personalized advice.
This assessment encourages you to reflect on your heart health, recognize potential risks, and take actionable steps toward improving your overall well-being.