Risk Factors of Vascular Disease

There are several risk factors that increase the risk of developing artherosclerosis and vascular disease.

  • --Family History
  • --Age (risk increases over age 60)
  • --Gender
  • --Race
  • --High Blood Pressure
  • --Diabetes
  • --Lack of Physical Activity
  • --Obesity
  • --High Cholesterol
  • --Smoking

There are some risk factors we cannot change:

FAMILY HISTORY – there is increased risk when there are other family members with vascular disease. However, this risk is probably made worse when combined with other factors such as smoking and high blood pressure.

AGE – risk increases over age 60 for men and women.

GENDER – men have a greater risk of vascular disease than women. However, as women get older their risk increases also.

RACE – African Americans have more than twice the risk of death and disability from the vascular disease causing stroke than Caucasians. This occurs because there is a higher incidence of smoking, high blood pressure, sickle cell anemia, diabetes and high cholesterol among African Americans.

There are other risk factors that CAN be changed or modified:

HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE – is a continued elevation of the blood pressure above the normal range— 140/90 or higher. Also called “hypertension,” it can damage the heart, kidneys and other organs. High blood pressure is a major factor with strokes. It can be controlled with diet, exercise, and, if necessary, medications.

SMOKING – speeds up the development of atherosclerosis, increases blood pressure, can increase the development of aneurysms, and can alter the function of some blood cells that increases the risk of stroke. Smokers have over twice the risk of dying from vascular disease than nonsmokers. Nonsmokers who breathe in the smoke in their environment also suffer from the effects of smoke (called passive smoking). People who quit smoking start to reduce their risks for vascular disease almost immediately. After several years, their death rate is almost as low as that of people who have never smoked.

HIGH CHOLESTEROL – Cholesterol is a substance that our bodies make, and it is also in some of the foods that we eat (e.g. red meats, egg yolks, butter, cheeses, etc.). High cholesterol contributes to the development of atherosclerosis. A low fat diet, and decreasing the amount of high cholesterol foods that we eat, can decrease cholesterol levels and the risk for artherosclerosis. Occasionally, medications are required to decrease cholesterol levels.

OBESITY – When the body weighs more than normal, there is increased strain on the heart to pump blood throughout the body. Obese people typically eat a high fat diet, leading to high cholesterol levels. Blood pressure rises to meet the demands on the heart and circulation systems. Obese people have three times the risk for heart attack and stroke than people of normal weight. Controlling weight decreases several of the risk factors for atherosclerosis.

LACK OF PHYSICAL EXERCISE – People who do very little exercise tend to be overweight, have high blood pressure and lack of tone in muscles throughout the body. They are at increased risk for heart attack and stroke. Exercise tones the muscles, stimulates circulation, helps prevent excess weight and promotes a general feeling of well-being.

DIABETES – Diabetes is associated with an increased occurrence of atherosclerosis. Careful monitoring and control of blood sugar has been shown to reduce the damage to the small blood vessels throughout the body and reduce the risk for stroke, heart and kidney disease.

Please see the information on the following pages to find out about some of the local resources that are available to help you reduce your risk for heart disease, stroke and circulation problems.