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From other websitesContent disclaimerContent on this website is provided for information purposes only. Information about a therapy, service, product or treatment does not in any way endorse or support such therapy, service, product or treatment and is not intended to replace advice from your doctor or other registered health professional. The information and materials contained on this website are not intended to constitute a comprehensive guide concerning all aspects of the therapy, product or treatment described on the website. All users are urged to always seek advice from a registered health care professional for diagnosis and answers to their medical questions and to ascertain whether the particular therapy, service, product or treatment described on the website is suitable in their circumstances. The State of Victoria and the Department of Health shall not bear any liability for reliance by any user on the materials contained on this website. Risk factors are conditions that increase your risk of developing a disease. Risk factors are either modifiable, meaning you can take measures to change them, or non-modifiable, which means they cannot be changed. Risk factors for heart disease are discussed below. Non-modifiable Risk FactorsAgeAccording to American Heart Association computations, about 80 percent of people who die from cardiovascular disease are 65 years and older. Age itself increases your risk of developing heart disease. GenderHeart disease has long been considered to be primarily a men's disease. Although women tend to develop cardiovascular disease about 10 years later in life than men, the outcome for women is often worse. Read more about women and heart disease. Family historyYour risk for developing heart disease increases if you have a relative who developed heart disease early, before age 55. If your parents developed heart disease later in life, it may be age-related rather than genetic. While you cannot change your genes, it is important to know your family medical history and share it with your doctor. RaceAfrican-Americans are at great risk of developing cardiovascular disease. Continue reading Modifiable Risk FactorsHigh blood pressureBlood pressure is recorded as two numbers with a ratio, like this: 120/80 mmHg. The top number, called systolic blood pressure, measures the pressure in the arteries when the heart beats. The lower number, called diastolic blood pressure, measures the pressure in the arteries between the heartbeats. High blood pressure is defined as over 140/90 on at least two separate occasions on separate days. Blood pressure should be measured at each doctor's office visit starting at 18 years of age, but at least every two years. Target blood pressure is 120/80 mmHg regardless of age. Many people have high blood pressure for years. If left untreated, it can lead to coronary heart disease, heart attack or stroke. Until age 45, a higher percentage of men than women have high blood pressure. From ages 45 to 64, the percentages are similar. After that, a much higher percentage of women than men have high blood pressure.
People with systolic blood pressure of 120 to 139 mmHg, or diastolic blood pressure of 80 to 89 mmHg, should be considered pre-hypertensive. They will need to make healthy lifestyle changes to prevent cardiovascular disease. SmokingSmoking is the most preventable risk factor. Smokers have more than twice the risk of developing cardiovascular disease. On average, smoking costs 13 years of life to a male smoker and 14 years to a female smoker. Exposure to smoke — secondhand smoking — increases the risk even for non-smokers. CholesterolThe cholesterol profile includes LDL (bad) cholesterol, HDL (good) cholesterol, triglycerides and total cholesterol.
DiabetesDiabetes mellitus is defined as a fasting blood glucose (blood sugar) of 125 mg/dL or more. Diabetes increases your risk for developing cardiovascular disease. There are two main types of diabetes. Type 1 diabetes is usually first diagnosed in children and young adults. Type 2 diabetes is the most common form and can develop at any age. If you have diabetes, no matter which type, it means you have too much glucose in your blood, which can lead to serious health issues. Diabetes and heart disease share similar risk factors — high cholesterol level, high blood pressure and obesity. Pre-diabetesPeople with a fasting blood glucose level between 100 mg/dL and 125 mg/dL have an increased risk for developing Type 2 diabetes. If they do not make lifestyle modifications, they will likely develop diabetes within the next 10 years. Pre-diabetes is reversible. If you lose weight, maintain a healthy diet and increase your physical activity, you may be able to prevent progression to diabetes. Which items in a patient medical history are risk factors for heart failure?Hypertension, coronary heart disease (CHD), diabetes, obesity, chronic kidney insufficiency, smoking, and unfavorable socioeconomic status are all established risk factors for HF.
What are common risk factors for heart failure?What are the risk factors for heart failure?. Coronary artery disease (CAD) (the most common type of heart disease) and heart attacks.. Diabetes.. High blood pressure.. Obesity.. Other Conditions Related to Heart Disease.. Valvular Heart Disease.. What are 4 things that can lead to heart failure?Most often, heart failure is caused by another medical condition that damages your heart. This includes coronary heart disease, heart inflammation, high blood pressure, cardiomyopathy, or an irregular heartbeat.
What is the most primary risk factor for heart failure?High blood pressure and other conditions that make your heart work harder are the main causes of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction. Conditions that stiffen the chambers of the heart such as obesity and diabetes are also causes of this type of heart failure.
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