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Health Topics Category Index Health Topics for Medical Departments Department of Internal Medicine
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Iowa CHAMPS: Cardiac Rehabilitation Guide: Understanding Heart Disease
Risk Factors for Coronary Artery Disease
Peer Review Status: Internally Peer Reviewed
First Published: Unknown
Last Revised: October 2004
Scientific and populations studies show that certain traits and lifestyle habits increase the risk of coronary artery disease (CAD). These danger signs are called "Risk Factors." There are two types, modifiable and non-modifiable. Modifiable risk factors can be changed (modified) and the non-modifiable cannot. As you read the risk factors below, circle "yes" if they apply to you, and "no" if they do not.
| Non Modifiable Risk Factors: |
| Yes |
No |
|
Advancing Age
The older you are the more likely it is that plaque has built up.
If you are a woman 55 years or older circle "yes."
If you are a man 45 years or older circle "yes." |
| Yes |
No |
|
Post Menopausal Female
After menopause a woman's rate of heart attacks "catch up" to that of a man's. If you are a post-menopausal (natural or ovaries removed by surgery or premature less than 35 years old without hormone replacement therapy) female, circle "yes." |
| Yes |
No |
|
Heredity
If you have first-degree relatives (biological parents, siblings and/or off-spring) with heart disease or stroke, and if those male relatives were younger than 55 and female relatives were younger than 65, circle "yes." |
Major Modifiable Risk Factors:
Increased blood cholesterol levels, specifically a high concentration of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol or a low concentration of high-density cholesterol (HDL) cholesterol, increase risk of coronary artery disease (CAD). |
| Yes |
No |
|
High Cholesterol
If your total cholesterol level is above 200 mg/dL, circle "yes." |
| Yes |
No |
|
High LDL (bad cholesterol)
If your LDL is above 70 mg/dL, circle "yes."
Following a low fat, low cholesterol diet will help change this problem. In addition, your doctor may recommend medication to improve your lipid profile. |
| Yes |
No |
|
Low HDL
If your HDL is less than 40 mg/dL, circle "yes."
Exercise and smoking cessation will both help increase this level. Alcohol also increases the HDL, but because alcohol is related to other health problems (high triglycerides, hypertension, liver problems), we do not recommend you start drinking alcohol if you do not already drink. If you are already drinking, limit the amount to two drinks per day, providing your triglycerides are normal, you are not hypertensive, and you do not have other conditions that alcohol would aggravate. The goal is to have the HDL as high as possible over 40. |
| Yes |
No |
|
Triglycerides
If your triglycerides are greater than 150 mg/dL, circle "yes."
Triglycerides are the most common form of fat found in food. Decreasing the amount of fat in your diet, restricting simple carbohydrates, decreasing alcoholic beverages, increasing the amount of starch and high fiber foods, and reducing your body weight are several ways you can reduce your triglyceride levels. |
| Yes |
No |
|
High Blood Pressure
Circle "yes" if your blood pressure is above 139/89. If your blood pressure is 120/80 or higher, it is on the high end of normal and you are advised to keep a close watch on it.
- OR -
If you are a diabetic and your blood pressure is higher than 130/85, circle "yes."
Normal blood pressure for anyone 18 years or older is 119/79 or lower. Increased blood pressure causes the heart to pump against increased resistance, eventually leading to overgrowth of the heart muscle. If you have high blood pressure, reducing your sodium intake, losing weight, exercising, decreasing alcohol intake and seeing your doctor about prescribing medication will help control it. |
| Yes |
No |
|
Cigarette Smoking
The nicotine in cigarette smoke causes your coronary arteries to constrict. Cigarettes also cause the blood to clot and the carbon monoxide decreases the amount of oxygen the blood can carry. The only way to reduce this risk and to stop this damage to your heart is to stop and stay away from others who smoke. A major reduction in coronary heart disease occurs even within the first year after stopping smoking. Being around environmental smoke greater than one hour a day also increases your risk for CAD by 40-50%. |
| Yes |
No |
|
Diabetes
Increased blood sugar levels in a diabetic cause an increase in triglycerides and LDL and a decrease in HDL. A diabetic who controls his/ her blood sugar level will minimize adverse changes in the lipid profile. |
| Other Modifiable Risk Factors: |
| Yes |
No |
|
Stress
Personal and job-related stress is common today. It's difficult to define and measure stress; however, studies suggest that certain people respond to stress in ways that tend to increase their blood pressure and heart rate. Both of these increase the workload placed on your heart, which increases the oxygen demands of the heart. Over time, chronic stress can, for some people, contribute to the development of coronary artery disease. Circle "yes" if you feel your lifestyle is stressful. |
| Yes |
No |
|
Overweight/Obesity
Obesity is defined as being 20% or more over your ideal body weight. Obesity causes an additional strain on the heart since there is more body mass requiring blood. Obesity is linked with high cholesterol, high blood pressure, and an increased heart size. To reduce this risk, follow a low fat diet and maintain a reasonable body weight. Circle "yes" if you are overweight. |
| WEIGHT STANDARDS (based on Body Mass Index [BMI]) |
HEIGHT
in. |
BMI 19
lbs. |
BMI 24
lbs. |
BMI 30
lbs. |
BMI 35
lbs. |
|
HEALTHY RANGE |
|
|
| 4' 10" |
91 |
115 |
143 |
167 |
| 5' 0" |
97 |
123 |
153 |
179 |
| 5' 2" |
104 |
131 |
164 |
191 |
| 5' 4" |
111 |
140 |
174 |
204 |
| 5' 6" |
118 |
148 |
156 |
216 |
| 5' 8" |
125 |
158 |
197 |
230 |
| 5' 10" |
132 |
167 |
209 |
243 |
| 6' 0" |
140 |
177 |
221 |
258 |
| 6' 2" |
148 |
186 |
233 |
272 |
| 6' 4" |
156 |
197 |
246 |
287 |
| Yes |
No |
|
Physical Inactivity
The heart, like any other muscle; needs to be exercised to function properly. Exercise will favorably affect all the other risk factors. Numerous studies have found that lack of exercise not only increases the risk of cardiovascular disease, but also cancer, osteoporosis and other diseases. Follow the exercise program your CHAMPS team has developed for you. Exercise can reduce your blood pressure, decrease the urge to eat and smoke, facilitate a positive outlook on life, reduce stress, and make your heart and other muscles work more effectively and efficiently. Circle "yes" if you exercise less than 30 minutes a day, 3 days per week. |
| Yes |
No |
|
Metabolic Syndrome
Many people have a specific combination of risk factors, referred to as the metabolic syndrome. If you have 3 or more of the following items, you have metabolic syndrome and have an increased risk of developing a heart problem. Circle "Yes" if you have metabolic syndrome.
- Abdominal obesity (waist circumference):
- Men: greater than 40 inches
- Women: greater than 35 inches
- Triglycerides greater than 150 mg/dL
- HDL cholesterol:
- Men: less than 40 mg/dL
- Women: less than 50 mg/dL
- Blood pressure greater than 130/85.
- Fasting glucose 110-125 mg/dL
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