Modifiable Risk Factors For Coronary Artery Disease

© Copyright 1999 Dialog Medical, Inc. All rights reserved.

High total cholesterol and high LDL-cholesterol

• Low HDL-cholesterol
• Cigarette smoking
• High blood pressure
• Diabetes
• Obesity/overweight
• Physical inactivity

You can reduce your risk of having another heart attack or other CAD problem by doing something about your modifiable risk factors. This means that, in addition to controlling your cholesterol level, you should make a major effort to stop smoking, control your high blood pressure, lose weight if you are overweight, and increase your physical activity.

Controlling high blood sugar if you have diabetes is important too.

Smoking. Cigarette smoking is a strong risk factor for CAD. Smoking assesation reduces your risk for CAD and stroke, beginning with the first year after having stopped. It also reduces your chances of developing lung cancer and other cancers and chronic lung disease. Changing to low-tar or low-nicotine cigarettes does not reduce the risk for CAD.

High blood pressure. High blood pressure (or hypertension) is associated with increased rates of CAD, as well as stroke and kidney failure. Treatment of hypertension reduces your risk for all these complications.

Diabetes. Diabetes, whether insulin dependent or non-insulin dependent, increases the risk for CAD. In men, diabetes increases risk for CAD complications by about three times, and the increase in risk may be even greater for women.

Obesity. Obesity or overweight increases the risk for CAD in men and women. If you are overweight, losing weight can improve other risk factors including diabetes, high blood pressure, and cholesterol, making weight loss very important in the treatment of CAD.

Physical inactivity. Physical inactivity can increase your risk for CAD. Regular physical activity can reduce LDL-cholesterol, triglycerides, high blood pressure, and weight while raising HDL-cholesterol and improving the fitness of your heart and lungs. Regular physical activity is recommended to reduce your risk of future CAD complications.