Risk factors for coronary artery disease
The more risk factors a person has for coronary artery disease (CAD), the more likely it is that the person will develop heart problems or have a heart attack. Risk factors for CAD include:
- Being a man older than age 35.
- Being a woman who has gone through menopause.
- Being overweight.
- Having high blood pressure (hypertension).
- Having diabetes.
- Having high cholesterol.
- Having a family history of heart disease.
- Smoking cigarettes.
- Being physically inactive.
Risk factors for a heart attack also include the use of cocaine and amphetamines.
| Author: | Jan Nissl, RN, BS | Last Updated: September 6, 2007 |
| Medical Review: | William M. Green, MD - Emergency Medicine H. Michael O'Connor, MD - Emergency Medicine | |
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