Factors that Increase Cardiovascular Risk

Cardiovascular disease is caused or made worse by high levels of cholesterol in your blood, high blood pressure, diabetes and smoking, among other factors. However, the effects of these factors can be prevented – and sometimes even reversed – by effective lifestyle modification and medication.

You have a higher chance of developing cardiovascular disease if you:

• are a man over 55 or a woman after menopause
• are a smoker or exposed regularly to second-hand smoke
• are overweight
• do not exercise regularly
• have close family members (such as parents or siblings) with a history of cardiovascular disease
• have high blood pressure
• have high levels of cholesterol in your blood
• have a lot of unmanaged stress in your life
• consume alcohol excessively

You are already at high risk of cardiovascular disease if you:

• have diabetes
• have a history of heart or blood vessel disease
• are of First Nations, African, or South Asian descent

One way to help you better understand your level of cardiovascular risk is to calculate your "cardiovascular age". This is the age of your body in terms of its cardiovascular health, instead of your chronological age. You can calculate your age any time, but for best results, you might need to speak to a healthcare professional to ensure the information you enter is accurate.