There are many risk factors for heart disease. The American Heart Association has identified several. Many of the risk factors can be modified with adjustments in diet, exercise and a healthy lifestyle. The first risk factor that is 100% preventable is smoking. People that smoke increase their chances of heart disease by 2-4 times that of non-smokers. Smoking increases the chance of death from coronary artery disease.
Poor diet and inactivity can contribute to coronary artery disease. Eating too many fatty foods and not exercising can increase your weight and make your heart work harder to pump blood to the rest of your body. If your heart has to work harder, then you increase the chances of having a heart attack or stroke or of having to live with high blood pressure. If you lose only 10 pounds you can reduce your risk of heart related illnesses.
