|  | Conditions Treatments | Heart Disease

AHA Scientific Position on Risk Factors of Coronary Heart Disease

The American Heart Association's (AHA) Scientific Position on risk factors of coronary heart disease (CHD) divides into two areas: major risk factors, where scientific research indicates increased risk, and contributing factors whose import has not been specifically defined.

  1. Risk

    • Factors of major impact are further divided into two categories: those that may be controlled and those that can't. "The more risk factors you have, the greater your chance of developing coronary heart disease," reports the AHA. "Also, the greater the level of each risk factor, the greater the risk."

    Modification

    • Areas that can't be modified include sex, age and heredity. Males have a higher likelihood of heart attack. The majority of both sexes who die of CHD are 65 years of age or older and those with a family history of heart disease, including specific ethnicity, are more likely to develop CHD.

    Treatment

    • Major risk factors that can be modified and controlled include smoking, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, diabetes and obesity. Smokers increase their risk two to four times.

    Warning

    • Stress and excessive alcohol consumption are considered to be contributing factors on the path to CHD. "People under stress may overeat, start smoking or smoke more than they otherwise would," according to the AHA.

    Global

    • The World Health Organization estimates that cardiovascular disease, primarily heart attacks and stroke, claims 17 million lives across the globe annually.

Heart Disease - Related Articles