Risks for Coronary Heart Disease

Some risks for coronary heart disease, such as a family history of early heart disease, cannot be controlled; however, most of the risk factors associated with this disease can be eliminated or managed. Some of these controllable risk factors include high cholesterol, high blood pressure, or diabetes.

An Overview of Coronary Heart Disease Risks

While not specific causes of coronary heart disease, a number of factors can increase a person's chances of developing heart disease. 
 
When considering coronary heart disease risks, there are some things to keep in mind:
 
  • While risks for this disease are based on risk factors, having such risk factors does not necessarily mean that a person will get coronary heart disease. Many people with risk factors never develop heart disease, while people with no risk factors can get it.
     
  • The more risk factors a person has, the greater his or her chance of developing coronary heart disease.
     
  • Risk factors for this disease can also increase the chances that an existing disease will get worse.
     
  • There are certain risks a person can do nothing about; there are also other risks that a person can minimize or eliminate.
     

Risks for Coronary Heart Disease: Factors You Can Change

Important risks that can be changed or minimized include:
 
 

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Written by/reviewed by: Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
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