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People who have more than one specific risk factor for coronary heart
disease (CHD) may be at much greater risk for CHD than people with no risk
factors. Take the quiz below:
1) Do you have high blood pressure?
This condition strains the heart and increases wear and tear on the blood
vessels, making blockage more likely.
2) What is your race?
Black individuals are more likely than white individuals to develop CHD
because they develop high blood pressure (hypertension) more often.
3) Are you a man or a woman?
Men have a higher risk of CHD than women do. However, the risk of CHD in postmenopausal
women (those who are in menopause or who have gone through menopause) increases
and becomes similar to that of men.
4) What is your genetic background?
The genetic make-up of some individuals increases their chances of
developing CHD.
5) How old are you?
The older you get, the more likely you are to develop CHD.
6) Do you have high cholesterol?
This condition can contribute to the build-up of plaques that can clog the
blood vessels leading to the heart, narrowing them and potentially blocking
blood flow to the heart.
7) Do you smoke?
Cigarette smoking is the most important of the known modifiable risk factors
for CHD. Nicotine in cigarettes speeds up the heart and also narrows the
arteries, making it harder for enough blood to get through.
As you can see from the risk factors listed, there are those that you cannot
do anything about and those that you can do something about. Having an
uncontrollable risk factor for CHD does not mean that you are destined to
develop CHD. The presence of an uncontrollable risk factor does mean, however,
that you should do what you can to care for your heart's health.
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