May 18th, 2009 
admin The following risk factors increase your risk of developing heart disease:
• Family history. Your chances of having coronary artery disease are much greater if either of your parents had heart disease before age 65.
• High blood pressure. This condition makes the heart pump harder, increasing the size of the heart muscle and, thereby, the chance of heart failure; it can directly damage coronary arteries.
• Smoking. Smokers have a 70 percent greater chance of developing coronary artery disease than nonsmokers.
• High cholesterol levels. High levels of cholesterol in the bloodstream lead to the formation of fatty deposits in the walls of the coronary arteries, causing them to narrow and obstruct blood flow.
• Obesity. Excess weight puts added strain on the heart, increases the risk of high blood pressure, and leads to higher levels of cholesterol in the blood.
• Inactivity. Regular exercise helps control cholesterol levels and weight. It also helps keep the heart strong and healthy.
• Diabetes. More than 80 percent of people with diabetes die of some form of blood vessel or heart disease.
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