Heart Disease Risk Factors

What Is Heart Disease?

Heart disease, also called cardiovascular disease, occurs when the heart and blood vessels do not function properly. The most common cause is narrowing or blockage of the arteries that supply blood to the heart, but a variety of disorders can impair heart or vascular functioning.

Types of heart disease include: arteriosclerosis, angina, congestive heart failure, heart attack, and stroke. Heart disease can be life-threatening. Fortunately, heart disease can be treated with lifestyle changes, medications, and in severe cases, surgery.

What Are the Risk Factors?

Risk factors may increase your likelihood of a heart attack, although some people who experience a heart attack do not have any risk factors. People with all of the risk factors may never develop a heart attack; however the likelihood increases with the more risk factors you have.

• Overweight and Obesity
• High Blood Pressure
• High Cholesterol
• High Triglycerides
• Diabetes
• Metabolic Syndrome
• Smoking
• Drug and Alcohol Abuse
• Individual Response to Stress
• Birth Control Pills
• Sex - Male or Female
• Ethnicity and Minority Group Membership
• Hereditary

When Should I See a Cardiologist?

No one wants to have heart disease. There are many steps you can take to help prevent it. The first step is to identify the risk factors that you may have for heart disease. Some risk factors cannot be changed, such as those you are born with, that is why it is very important to tell your cardiologist about your family history. However, many heart disease risk factors can be eliminated or decreased by making heart healthy changes in diet and lifestyle.

The caring doctors and professionals at Cardiology & Cardiovascular Consultants genuinely listen to your concerns. They will discuss your risk factors in terms you can understand. Together, you and our innovative cardiologists will develop an individualized heart-healthy plan formulated for your success.

For more information or to schedule an appointment with our cardiologists in Las Vegas, call Cardiology & Cardiovascular Consultants at (702) 258-1601. Our friendly and knowledgeable staff is standing by.