There are two types of risk factors for heart disease: fixed and modifiable.
Fixed factors cannot be modified or corrected. They include age, gender and family history. This may be due to genetic factors or the effect of a shared environment (similar diet, smoking habits, etc.).
Modifiable factors are those that can be changed. They include bad habits such as smoke. Tobacco is considered the most important avoidable cause of coronary artery disease. Another modifiable factors is high blood pressure (or hypertension). The incidence of CAB increases as blood pressure rises.
More modifiable factors for heart disease include:
- Physical Activity: Regular exercise (brisk walking, cycling, swimming for 20 minutes two or three times a week) has shown to have a protective effect
- Obesity: Usually associated with other factors like hypertension, diabetes and physical inactivity.
- Alcohol: Heavy drinking is associated with hypertension and other cardiac conditions.