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Risk Factors

Looking after your heart starts with understanding your risk, so make sure you know all your health numbers

There are many risk factors associated with coronary heart disease and stroke. Some risk factors, such as family history, cannot be modified, while other risk factors, like high blood pressure, can be modified with treatment.

You will not necessarily develop cardiovascular disease if you have a risk factor. However, the more risk factors you have, the greater the likelihood of developing cardiovascular disease, unless you take action and work to prevent your risk factors compromising your heart health.

Risk Factors

Diabetes

Diabetes is a major global health threat. It affects 1 in 11 adults… 425 million people in the world.

Physical Inactivity

Around 150 minutes of moderate physical activity per week reduces the risk of heart disease by 30% and the risk of diabetes by 27%.

Cholesterol

Raised cholesterol is estimated to cause 2.6 million deaths and is implicated in heart diseases and stroke

Tobacco

Globally, more than 1 in 10 cardiovascular deaths are caused by smoking. Around 1.2 million deaths are due to exposure to second-hand smoke.

  • © World Heart Federation 2021