People who have more than one specific risk factor for
coronary heart disease (CHD) might be at much greater risk
for CHD than people with no risk factors. Take the quiz below:
1) Do you have high blood pressure?
This condition
strains the heart, and increases wear and tear on the blood
vessels, making blockage more likely.
2) What is your race?
African American individuals
are more likely than white individuals to develop CHD because they
develop high blood pressure (hypertension) more often.
3) Are you a man or a woman?
Men have a higher risk
of CHD than women have. However, the risk of CHD in post-menopausal
women (those who are in menopause or who have gone through
menopause) increases and becomes similar to that of men.
4) What is your genetic background?
The genetic
make-up of some individuals increases their chances of developing
CHD.
5) How old are you?
The older you get, the more
likely you are to develop CHD.
6) Do you have high cholesterol?
This condition can
contribute to the build-up of plaques that can clog the blood
vessels leading to the heart, narrowing them and potentially
blocking blood flow to the heart.
7) Do you smoke?
Cigarette smoking is the most
important of the known modifiable risk factors for CHD. Nicotine in
cigarettes speeds up the heart and also narrows the arteries,
making it harder for enough blood to get through.
As you can see from the risk factors listed, there are those
that you cannot do anything about and those that you can do
something about. Having an uncontrollable risk factor for CHD does
not mean that you are destined to develop CHD. The presence of an
uncontrollable risk factor does mean, however, that you should do
what you can to care for your heart's health.