Recognizing And Reducing Risk Factors: Heart Disease
Content provided by the Faculty of the Harvard Medical School
Recognizing and reducing risk factors
Call it the heart disease version of an urban legend: An oft-cited "fact" is that only half of the people who eventually develop heart disease have an established risk factor such as high blood pressure or an abnormal cholesterol profile. Several major studies have finally put this myth to rest. It is now clear that most people who develop coronary artery disease have at least one major risk factor (see "Putting risk in perspective," below).
Fortunately you can take steps to stop the coronary cascade in its tracks — or even prevent it from starting in the first place. Most of the risk factors for coronary artery disease can be modified or avoided. By addressing the risk factors that you have some control over, it's possible to significantly reduce your vulnerability to coronary artery disease.
What's the evidence?Putting risk in perspective Although a heart attack may strike suddenly, the problem takes years to develop and usually could have been prevented. Several major studies confirm that most people who have heart attacks had at least one major avoidable risk factor beforehand. Journal of the American Medical Association, Aug. 20, 2003 Scope: Researchers analyzed data from a total of 14 randomized clinical trials and 3 observational studies involving about half a million people. Findings: 80%–90% of those who eventually developed coronary artery disease, and 95% of those who died from it, had at least one of the so-called conventional risk factors: smoking, diabetes, high blood pressure, and elevated cholesterol. Lancet, Sept. 11, 2004 Scope: Researchers analyzed data from the INTERHEART study, involving nearly 30,000 people in 52 countries. Findings: 90% of men and 94% of women who had a heart attack had one of the following risk factors: smoking, an abnormal lipid profile, high blood pressure, diabetes, abdominal obesity, psychosocial factors such as depression and stress, inadequate consumption of fruits and vegetables, and a sedentary lifestyle. Regular but moderate alcohol consumption offered protection. |
| Last updated: | May 03, 2007 |
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Medical content reviewed by the Faculty of the Harvard Medical School. Harvard Health Publications, Copyright © 2007 by President and Fellows of Harvard College. All rights reserved. Used with permission of StayWell.
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