Certain conditions, lifestyle habits, as well as your age and family history can increase your risk of heart disease. These are called heart disease risk factors. 

According to Heart and Stroke, a surprising 9 in 10 Canadians have at least 1 risk factor for heart disease and stroke.

Some of these risk factors are non-modifiable, meaning that you cannot control them.

  • Age: heart disease can happen at any age, but the risk of a cardiovascular event increase as you get older. With age, there is a decrease in elasticity and a thickening of the arterial walls. This increases the resistance that the heart must pump against to move blood through the body.
  • Family History of coronary artery disease, heart attack and/or stroke: Genetic factors may play a role in high blood pressure, heart disease, and other related conditions. If you have a close relative who has experienced heart disease at a young age, you may be at an increased risk.
  • Sex: Men have a higher risk of heart disease than women, but the difference narrows after women reach menopause. When other factors are similar, the risk of heart disease is similar for men and women at 65 years old.

The modifiable risk factors include:

  • Smoking: Smoking tobacco contributes to the buildup of plaque in your arteries, reduces oxygen in blood, forces your heart to work harder, and increases the risk of blood clots. Second-hand smoke can also be harmful to the people around you. Quitting tobacco immediately reduces your risk of heart attack and stroke.
  • High blood pressure: Hypertension is a medical condition where the blood vessels have persistently raised pressure. This elevated pressure can increase the heart’s workload, causing the heart muscle to thicken and become more stiff. It can also increase your risk of stroke, heart attack, kidney failure, and congestive heart failure. A doctor can be consulted to determine if medications, a diet change, or, in some circumstances, exercise can help to manage high blood pressure. View our Hypertension Handout for more information.
  • High cholesterol: Cholesterol comes from two sources: synthesized from your liver and consumed in your diet. It is a waxy substance that can combine with other factors in the blood to form deposits on artery walls. This can narrow the arteries and make them less flexible, leading to atherosclerosis. As the amount of circulating cholesterol in the blood increases, so does your risk of heart disease. Review our Cholesterol Handout for more information.
  • Diabetes: There are two types of Diabetes – type 1 (the body does not produce enough insulin) and type 2 (the body cannot effectively use the insulin it has). Insulin is used to break down and control how much sugar is in your blood. High blood sugar levels (especially when uncontrolled) increases the risk of high blood pressure, narrowing of the arteries, coronary artery disease, and stroke. Blood sugar can be controlled through insulin therapy, lifestyle choices, and medication, which can help to reduce the chances of developing heart disease. See our Diabetes Handout for more information.
  • Obesity: People with excess body fat, especially around the waist, are more likely to develop heart disease. A sustained weight loss of 3-5% of body weight may significantly reduce the affect of other risk factors.
  • Sedentary lifestyle: Regular, moderate to vigorous exercise helps to reduce the risk of heart disease. It can also help to control high cholesterol, diabetes, obesity, and in some circumstances, blood pressure.

Other factors that can contribute to heart disease are stress, alcohol intake, and diet.