Who is at risk?

2015-05-02

The leading controllable risk factors for cardiovascular diseases (particularly heart disease and stroke) are:

High blood pressure

• The precursor of developing heart attack and stroke
• It results when blood places an excessive amount of force against the walls of blood vessels
• Gives extra burden to heart and kidneys
• Weakens blood vessels in the brain

High cholesterol

• High levels of total cholesterol, triglyceride, LDL (Low Density Lipoproteins), and low levels of HDL increase risk of coronary heart disease and stroke.

Diabetes Mellitus (Type 2 diabetes)

• The risk of cardiovascular diseases is 2-3 times higher in people with DM
• In some age groups, people with diabetes have a two-fold increase in the risk of stroke 

Cigarette smoking

• The risk of developing CVDs is higher in smokers, especially in people who started young
• Passive smoking is of additional risk

Physical Inactivity

• Can be defined as less than five times of 30- min of moderate activity per week
• Increases risk of heart disease and stroke by 50% 

Overweight or Obesity

• Obesity is strongly related to major cardiovascular risk factors such as high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes and dyslipidaemia

Unhealthy Diets

• High dietary intakes of saturated fat, trans-fats and salt or low intake of fruits, vegetables and fish are linked to cardiovascular risk.

There are some risk factors that cannot be modified. People in these high-risk categories should receive regular check-ups.

• Advancing Age: As a person gets older, the heart undergoes subtle physiological changes and may work less efficiently; risk of stroke doubles every 10 years after age 55.
• Gender: Higher rates of coronary heart disease among men compared with women (premenopausal age); risk of stroke is similar for men and women.
• Family history: Increased risk if 1st degree relatives have coronary heart disease or stroke before 55-year old (for a male relative) or 65-year old (for a female relative).
• Race: Increased cardiovascular disease deaths noted for South Asians and American Blacks in comparison with Whites.