There are more than 26 important factors affecting #heartdiseases. Factors such as #gender and family history are not under our control. On the other hand, factors such as #smoking and physical #activity are modifiable. According to Public Health Agency of Canada (2009), nine in ten Canadians have at least one risk factor for heart disease or stroke. These include smoking, alcohol use, physical inactivity, #obesity, high blood pressure, high blood cholesterol, diabetes). Fortunately, 90% of heart disease is preventable through lifestyle modifications. These include healthy eating, exercise, avoidance of tobacco smoke and limiting alcohol intake.
#Age is by far the most important risk factor in developing heart disease, with approximately a tripling of risk with each decade of life. This is why we find heart disease more often among the elderly. Statistical data indicates 82 percent of people who die of heart disease are 65 and older (American Heart Association, 2015). There are multiple explanations why age increases the risk of heart disease. One of them is related to blood cholesterol levels. In most populations, the total blood cholesterol level increases as age increases, and in men, this increase levels off around age 45 to 50 years (Vartiainen J, Puska T. 1999). In women, the increase continues sharply until age 60 to 65 years (Vartiainen J, Puska T. 1999). Also, as people age, elasticity and compliance of blood vessels decreases, subsequently leading to more plague formation.
Gender is another important factor that determines who is more prone to develop heart disease. In general, men are at greater risk of heart disease than pre-menopausal women. Heart disease is two to five times more common among middle-aged men than women, but once past menopause, a woman’s risk becomes slightly similar to that of a man’s (Vartiainen J, Puska T, 1999). Estrogen, the predominant sex hormone in women, offers protection through glucose metabolism. This has the effect of improving cell function. Once the production of estrogen has decreased, lipid-metabolism changes, leading to higher total cholesterol levels.
Smoking is a major risk factor contributing to heart disease. Approximately 10% of heart disease is attributed to smoking (Mendis S, Puska P, Norring B, 2011). The chemicals in tobacco smoke change the structure of blood cells, causing them to become sticky and inflammatory. This damage increases the risk of atherosclerosis because it limits the flow of oxygen-rich blood to not only the heart but also other organs and other parts of the body. Surprisingly, exposure to second-hand smoke is equally as harmful as direct consumption of tobacco. Statistical data indicates that people who quit smoking by age 30 have almost as low a risk of death as those who never smoke.
Insufficient physical activity, which is defined as less than 30 minutes of moderate activity five times a week, is currently the fourth leading risk factor for mortality worldwide (Mendis S, Puska P, Norring B, 2011). Physical activity assists weight loss and improves blood glucose control, blood pressure, total cholesterol level and insulin sensitivity. These effects overall play a role in maintaining a healthy heart. People who are physically inactive have twice the risk for heart disease than those who are physically active.
High dietary intake of saturated fat, transfats and salt, and low intake of fruits, vegetables and fish are also linked to heart disease. The amount of dietary salt consumed is an important determinant of blood pressure levels. Frequent consumption of highly processed foods promotes obesity, which, in turn, can contribute to arthrosclerosis. The relationship between alcohol consumption and heart disease is complex. Moderate drinking may offer some health benefits; however, excessive use of alcohol leads to a number of health risks, including heart disease. (Micha R, et al. 2012).