Risk factors you need to know about Coronary Artery Disease (CAD)

They are many, and the more risk factors you have the more likely you will develop CAD. By controlling risk factors, we may help prevent or delay the onset of CAD.

1- Non modifiable risk factors cannot be changed:

A - Old age, Genetic, or lifestyle factors cause plaque to build up in the arteries as you age. it start after 45 for men and after 55 for women.

B -Gender: before 55 men are at great risk than women.

C -Positive family history for early CAD specifically if father or brother got CAD before 55, or a mother or sister is diagnosed with Cad before 65.

 2- Modifiable risk factors:

• High blood cholesterol can cause plaque formation in the wall of coronary arteries which leads to narrowing or blockage LDL called bad cholesterol.
• High triglycerides with low HDL-cholesterol: this combination is often linked with premature coronary artery disease. HDL is called good cholesterol or scavenger.
• Hypertension more than 140/90 mm Hg over time. is harmful to the arteries and increase the risk of heart attack, heart failure and stroke.
• Diabetes: people with diabetes are at a much high risk of CAD.
• Impaired glucose tolerance also increase CAD risk.
• Smoking can damage and tighten blood vessels , and can also limit how much oxygen reaches the body tissues.
• Overweight/ obesity: it increase the chance of having heart attack, modest weight loss can reduce risk but it is must maintained.
• Lack of physical activity it worsen other risk factors hypertension, diabetes, and obesity.
• Metabolic syndrome it the worse combination between risk factors( obesity – hyperlipemia – hypertension – diabetes) it is disaster.

• Excessive alcohol: small amount of alcohol may reduce the risk of heart disease but drinking too much alcohol is harmful to the heart and liver….
• Stress: as alcohol a little of stress may be desirable to keep you alert and motivated, but as the stress level builds especially if prolonged it can trigger heart attack by emotionally upsetting event for example the broken heart syndrome.
• Unhealthy diet like food rich in saturated and trans fats , cholesterol, sodium and sugar can worsen other risk factors.
• Sleep apnea it can increase the risk of hypertension, diabetes and heart attack or stroke.

3- Emerging Risk Factors:

• High C-reactive protein (CRP) it a sign of inflammation may raise the risk of CAD and heart attack.
• High levels of triglycerides especially in women may raise the risk of CAD.

As much as you can correct these risk factor, you will protect yourself from CAD. Try first by lifestyle modification ,quitting smoking, be away from stress,and do regular exercise.