Risk Factors

 

Based on an article in American Journal of Cardiology Jan 2010 

 

    The Modifiable Risk factors include

                        Hypertension

                        Smoking

                        Obesity

                        Abnormal lipid profile

                        Diabetes

                        Low consumption of fruits and vegetables

                        Lack of regular exercise

                        Too much (>9 hours) or too little sleep (<6 hours)

 

    Obviously individuals cannot modify their genetic history, which is probably the strongest predictor of vascular disease.  That is why it becomes so important to do what you can regarding things you can control !

 

    The risk factors rarely occur in isolation and instead tend to cluster in individuals.  Metabolic syndrome refers to a cluster of risk factors including obesity, hypertension, dyslipidemia and insulin resistance (diabetes).

            1 risk factor increases risk 4 fold

            5 risk factors increase 60 fold

 

    Risk factors are increasing in the United States and worldwide, particularly Hypertension, Diabetes and Obesity.  The top 3 causes of death in industrialized nations are hypertension, tobacco and elevated cholesterol.

 

           Even modest reductions of 10% in cholesterol and BP yield a 45% reduction in CVD, which is why there is so much emphasis on treatment of these problems when they are identified.  It is also understood that moderate reduction in several risk factors are more likely to be more effective than major reductions of a single risk factor.