What Causes Heart Disease?
What Causes Heart Disease?
Heart disease is a category of ailments that result from multiple types of factors that impact both your heart and blood vessels. The most common risk factors are listed below and briefly explained:
- Atherosclerosis
This is the buildup of fat or plaque in the arteries, which narrows the arteries and makes them less flexible. This restricts the amount of oxygenated blood that can get to your body.
2. High Blood Pressure (hypertension)
Excessive pressure in the veins, arteries, and heart over time can cause damage to your vessels and eventually lead to heart disease.
3. High Cholesterol
Elevated levels of LDL (low-density lipoprotein—also known as the ‘bad’) cholesterol can result in plaque formation.
4. Tobacco
Tobacco is destructive to your vessels and promotes the buildup of plaque in your arteries.
5. Poor Eating Habits
Diets containing large amounts of saturated fat, trans fat, sugar and sodium have been shown to raise the risk of developing heart disease.
6. Inactivity
Lack of regular physical activity creates excess fat accumulation in your body and adds to the number of risk factors associated with heart disease.
7. Obesity
Obesity adds strain to your heart and poses the risk of developing additional risk factors, including hypertension and diabetes.
8. Diabetes
Elevated blood sugar levels can damage blood vessels and nerves that regulate your heart.
9. Family History
Some individuals inherit the genetic predisposition for heart disease.
10. Stress
Continually living under stress can lead to the development of risk factors for heart disease, as well as increase damage to your blood vessels.
11. High Alcohol Use
Too much alcohol consumption can lead to increasing blood pressure and triglycerides.
Preventing or limiting the risk factors for developing heart disease can be effectively accomplished through a healthy lifestyle, regular medical checkups, and proper use of medications to control risk factors.
