High Risk Factors for Heart Diseases

There are numerous causes behind any disorder or dysfunction that occurs in a human body. With research, it has been established that behind every disease and disorder there are some risk factors that lead to it. Similarly, it has also been acknowledged that if these risk factors are controlled, these diseases and disorders can be avoided.

One such disorder that is caused by several risk factors is heart disease. Heart diseases are not caused by one, but numerous high risk factors that lead to various complications. High risk factors for heart disease are bound to result in heart complications if they are not controlled on time and you do not take proper care of your health.

Being the most important organ of the body, heart performs the crucial function of pumping blood and oxygen into the body. Without a healthy heart there is no chance of survival for you. Thus, it is advised that you keep an eye on the high risk factors for heart diseases and avoid them to live a long and healthy life!

High Risk Factors for Heart Diseases
Some of the high risk factors for heart diseases include hypertension, stress, smoking, high cholesterol, lack of exercise and obesity. If these conditions persist for a long time, they are at high risk of causing heart diseases.

Cholesterol
Cholesterol buildup takes place over a period of time. Accumulation of excessive fat leads to deposits of cholesterol in the arteries. This can cause blockage in the arteries and impair the flow of blood into them. Due to this, the heart may not be able to pump blood in the body and brain. This may lead to various heart diseases.

Smoking
Smoking is another high risk factor for heart diseases as it weakens the heart. This directly interacts with the working of the heart muscles and destroys them. Just one cigarette can prevent the heart from using oxygen properly for up to 24 hours. It contains enough poison to rough up the side of a blood vessel wall in the heart that can lead to narrowing of the blood vessel and cut down blood flow to the heart.

Stress
It has been proved that people who take stress are at high risk of getting heart disease. Stress is one of the main causes of artery constriction that causes hindrances in the blood flow. This leads to buildup of blood pressure leading to various heart diseases. If you take too much stress or work in a stressful condition, you are vulnerable to heart disease.

Hypertension
High blood pressure or hypertension increases the pressure on the heart leading to exertion and overwork. Due to cholesterol and fat deposits, the arteries become narrow. This affects the flow of blood to the heart and leads to elevated pressure of blood. Too much high blood pressure can cause various heart diseases and weaken the heart muscles.

Obesity
Obesity is too much weight gain or excessive accumulation of fat in the body. Obesity is one of the most unhealthy conditions once can suffer from and it is also one of the highest risk factors for heart diseases. Obesity can lead to high cholesterol as well as high blood pressure and cause heart complications too.

Physical Inactivity
Physical inactivity can lead to weight gain and obesity and both are high risk factors for heart diseases. Physical activity and exercise keeps you fit and healthy while inactivity can lead to fatness and other complications that eventually lead to heart problems.

Diabetes
Diabetes is among the high risk factors for heart diseases especially in case of people suffering from adult-onset or Type 2 diabetes also known as non-insulin-dependent diabetes. It has been estimated that 65% of the diabetic patients die due to heart diseases. It is important to keep a check on your diabetes as controlling blood sugar level can reduce the risk for heart diseases.

Weight
If you are overweight or obese, the risk of having a heart attack is high. Being over weight means accumulation of fats and cholesterol in the body that lead to heart disease.

Overweight is an unhealthy condition that can supersede to obesity. Obesity is accumulation of excessive fat in the body. Overweight and obese people should try to slim down, as this will reduce their cholesterol levels.

Some Other High Risk Factors For Heart Diseases Are:
Male sex
Old age
Family history of heart disease
Race such as African Americans, American Indians, and Mexican Americans are more likely to have heart disease than Caucasians
In addition to the above mentioned conditions, there are others too that can increase your risk for getting heart diseases such as abnormal sleep patterns and duration of sleep, medications that have side effects, drugs, stress etc.

In order to prevent heart diseases, it is recommended that you control these high risk factors and take good care of your health and heart. Removing causes of stress and depression, exercising, eating a healthy diet and avoiding high-cholesterol foods, controlling your diabetes and avoiding obesity are all helpful in preventing heart diseases.

Source : http://www.always-health.com/heartdisease_highriskfactors.html