Heart is one of the vital organs in the human body. It is responsible for circulating blood throughout the body so that every organ can function properly. When there is a problem with the heart, it can disrupt the overall function of the body.

Heart disease often occurs without prior symptoms. Many people only realize they have a heart problem when they experience a heart attack. Unhealthy lifestyles also play a role in increasing the risk factors for heart disease.

Risk factors of heart disease

It is important to know the risk factors for heart disease. The more risk factors you have, the greater the risk of heart disease. Recognizing the risk factors you have can help prevent heart disease more effectively.

According to the Heart website, the risk factors for heart disease can generally be divided into 3 categories:

Unmodifiable Risk Factors

In relation to heart disease, there are several risk factors that cannot be changed, such as age, gender, and genetic factors.

As you age, especially if you are 65 years old or older, you have a greater risk of heart disease. While for gender, men have a higher risk of heart disease and heart attacks can also occur at a younger age.

In addition, genetic factors or heredity can also increase the risk of heart disease. For those of you who have a family history of heart disease, you will have a higher risk of heart disease compared to families without a history of heart disease.

Modifiable Risk Factors 

Unlike risk factors for heart disease such as age and gender, which cannot be changed, several unhealthy lifestyles can also increase the risk of heart disease. Some modifiable risk factors for heart disease include:

Smoking

Both passive and active smoking pose the risk of heart disease. Cigarettes contain thousands of harmful chemicals that can make blood thicker and more prone to clotting, damage cells, and increase plaque formation in blood vessels, making the heart work harder.

High blood pressure and high cholesterol

High blood pressure is the main trigger for stroke and heart disease because it can damage blood vessels. Similarly, with high cholesterol levels, the accumulation of excess cholesterol in blood vessels can restrict blood flow to the heart and other vital organs, increasing the risk of stroke.

Lack of exercise

A sedentary lifestyle such as lounging in front of the television, sitting for long periods in front of a computer or laptop, and rarely exercising risks increasing heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and cancer.

Obesity

People who are overweight, especially if you have thick waist fat deposits, are at risk of heart disease and stroke, even if you have no other risk factors.

Overweight people also tend to have high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and high blood sugar levels, which increase the risk of heart disease.

Diabetes

Those of you who have diabetes need to be aware of the risk of heart disease or other cardiovascular diseases. Even when your blood sugar levels are controlled, diabetes can increase the risk of heart disease and stroke. If you have diabetes, it is better to start adopting a healthy lifestyle and regularly undergo a health checkup.

Other Risk Factors 

Stress

Stress can increase the risk of heart disease indirectly. When stressed, you usually overeat, smoke, drink alcohol, and lack sleep. This unhealthy lifestyle can increase blood pressure and increase the risk of stroke, irregular heartbeat, and cardiomyopathy.

Heart problems can occur at any time, even at a young age. For those of you who have risk factors like the above, it is better to immediately see a doctor. Early examination can prevent the sudden onset of heart and blood vessel problems.

If you need other medical advice or consultation, you can either visit a doctor or make use of the consultation features that are available in the Ai Care application by downloading the Ai Care application from the App Store or Play Store.

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