There are nine main risk factors for cardiovascular disease (CVD) which are listed below. Many of these risk factors are linked, meaning if you have one of the risk factors you are likely to have others as well.
- Smoking (or other tobacco use) – the toxins in tobacco can damage and narrow your coronary arteries, making you more vulnerable to coronary heart disease. Smoking can also cause high blood pressure, another risk factor for CVD (see below).
- Poor diet – a diet high in fat can speed up the formation of fatty deposits inside your arteries, and can cause both high blood cholesterol levels and high blood pressure.
- High blood cholesterol – this can cause narrowing of your arteries and increase your chance of developing a blood clot.
- High blood pressure – poorly controlled high blood pressure can damage the walls of your arteries and increase your risk of developing a blood clot.
- Lack of exercise – people who do not exercise regularly usually have higher cholesterol levels, high blood pressure and high levels of stress, and are more likely to be overweight.
- Being overweight or obese – being overweight or obese increases your risk of developing diabetes and high blood pressure. Many overweight or obese people also have poor diets and do not exercise enough.
- Diabetes – the high blood glucose (sugar) levels associated with type 1 or type 2 diabetes can damage the arteries. Many people with type 2 diabetes are also overweight or obese.
- Excessive alcohol consumption – this can increase cholesterol levels and blood pressure.
- Stress – this can increase your blood pressure and the hormones associated with stress are thought to increase your blood glucose levels.
