Patient Resources

Risk Factors of Heart Disease - Uncontrollable Factors

Family History

If your parents, grandparents or a sibling developed CHD at any early age (before 55 for men, before 65 for women) the likelihood of CHD striking you is significantly elevated.

Your Gender and Age

Men are more likely to develop the symptoms of CHD after they've passed the age of 45. Women have a 10-year "reprieve", and seem to be protected from CHD until they've passed the menopause, which normally occurs in the mid-50's. The effects of estrogen appear to give women this "edge" over men.

Diabetes

Diabetes Mellitus is the condition that occurs when the pancreas no longer manufacturers enough of the hormone insulin. The body then is no longer able to utilize glucose (sugar) in the normal fashion. One of the results of this is an increased incidence of atherosclerosis, which may lead to CHD. If you've been diagnosed as having diabetes you need to maintain a close watch on your blood glucose, diet and any medications your physician has prescribed for you. Doing so will help your body fight against CHD.

Race

In men race doesn't appear to play a large factor in determining susceptibility to CHD. In women, however, the color of the skin may be a determinant of who is more likely to develop CHD earlier. Black women appear to have a higher prevalence of risk factors and a higher death rate at a younger age than white women.