Your life stile choices determine your risk of developing heart disease. There are certain well known risk factors which may make it more likely that an individual will have a heart attack or stroke at early age. Some risk factors we cannot control; others we can. 

Controllable risk factors 

• Elevated Blood cholesterol Level
• The higher cholesterol the greater the chance of developing heart disease.
• The National Institute of Health recommends the following:
• Total cholesterol-less than 150mg/dl
• Low Density Lipoprotein (HDL) (Good cholesterol)- greater than 35 mg/dl
• Triglycerides – less than 190mg/dl
• Cigarette Smoking: If you smoke 2 packs of cigarettes or more per day and are between the ages of 35 – 50, you have FIVE TIMES the risk of having a heart attack than the non-smoker has. As soon as you quit smoking, the risk begins to drop. Within ten years after quitting your chances of having a heart attack drops back to near normal.
• High Blood Pressure: Blood pressure is the measurement of the force of the blood against the arteries. High blood pressure is known as the “silent killer” because it has no symptoms yet it is causing damage. It is important to have your blood pressure checked on a regular basis. If the blood pressure reading is 140/90 or above, your physician can help you control it through diet and/or medication.
• Overweight: Excess body weight causes reduction in HDL cholesterol and an increase in the triglyceride level. It also predisposes people to high blood pressure and adult diabetes.
• Diabetes: Heart attack is the number one killer of diabetic patients. Since the two risk factors of diabetes and overweight often go hand in hand, it is particularly important for diabetic patients to watch their diets and maintain their proper weight.
• Lack of Exercise: A sedentary lifestyle or lack of exercise can increase the risk of heart attacks. Exercise raises the HDL-cholesterol level and lowers the LDL level. Even moderate exercise is extremely important in the fight against heart disease. If you are middle aged or older and haven’t exercised for a while it is recommended you first consult with you’re physician prior to starting an exercise program.
• Stress: Emotional stress raises your heart rate and blood pressure, thus increasing the work your heart must do. This increased work demands an increased supply of oxygen-rich blood.

Heredity-Individuals who have a family history of heart disease have an increased chance of developing heart problems. Every one out of 3 males experience a heart attack by the time they are 60 years of age. After menopause a woman’s risk of heart disease is equal to a man’s risk. 

Age-Due to the normal aging process, an individual’s chance for development of coronary artery disease tends to increase with age.