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Patient Education

Understanding Your Risk for Heart Disease

Risk factors are conditions that increase your risk of developing a disease. Risk factors are either modifiable, meaning you can take measures to change them, or non-modifiable, which means they cannot be changed.

Risk factors for heart disease are discussed below.

Non-modifiable Risk Factors

Age

According to American Heart Association computations, about 80 percent of people who die from cardiovascular disease are 65 years and older. Age itself increases your risk of developing heart disease.

Gender

Heart disease has long been considered to be primarily a men's disease. Although women tend to develop cardiovascular disease about 10 years later in life than men, the outcome for women is often worse.

Read more about women and heart disease.

Family history

Your risk for developing heart disease increases if you have a relative who developed heart disease early, before age 55. If your parents developed heart disease later in life, it may be age-related rather than genetic. While you cannot change your genes, it is important to know your family medical history and share it with your doctor.

Race

African-Americans are at great risk of developing cardiovascular disease.

Continue reading

Modifiable Risk Factors

High blood pressure

Blood pressure is recorded as two numbers with a ratio, like this: 120/80 mmHg. The top number, called systolic blood pressure, measures the pressure in the arteries when the heart beats. The lower number, called diastolic blood pressure, measures the pressure in the arteries between the heartbeats.

High blood pressure is defined as over 140/90 on at least two separate occasions on separate days. Blood pressure should be measured at each doctor's office visit starting at 18 years of age, but at least every two years. Target blood pressure is 120/80 mmHg regardless of age.

Many people have high blood pressure for years. If left untreated, it can lead to coronary heart disease, heart attack or stroke.

Until age 45, a higher percentage of men than women have high blood pressure. From ages 45 to 64, the percentages are similar. After that, a much higher percentage of women than men have high blood pressure.

Blood Pressure Classification Systolic BP (mmHg)
Diastolic BP (mmHg)
Normal < /> and < />
Prehypertension 120–139 or 80–89
Stage 1 HBP 140–159 or 90–99
Stage 2 HBP >160 or >100


For persons older than 50, systolic blood pressure is more important than diastolic blood pressure as a cardiovascular disease risk factor. Starting at 115/75 mmHg, cardiovascular disease risk doubles with each increment of 20/10 mmHg throughout the blood pressure range.

People with systolic blood pressure of 120 to 139 mmHg, or diastolic blood pressure of 80 to 89 mmHg, should be considered pre-hypertensive. They will need to make healthy lifestyle changes to prevent cardiovascular disease.

Smoking

Smoking is the most preventable risk factor. Smokers have more than twice the risk of developing cardiovascular disease. On average, smoking costs 13 years of life to a male smoker and 14 years to a female smoker. Exposure to smoke — secondhand smoking — increases the risk even for non-smokers.

Cholesterol

The cholesterol profile includes LDL (bad) cholesterol, HDL (good) cholesterol, triglycerides and total cholesterol.

  • LDL cholesterol LDL cholesterol (low density lipoprotein) contributes to artery blockages (plaques). Most people should aim for an LDL cholesterol level of 100 mg/dL or lower. If you are at very high risk for developing cardiovascular disease, or if you have already had a heart attack, you may need to aim for an LDL level below 70 md/dL.
  • HDL cholesterol HDL cholesterol (high density lipoprotein) is a reverse-transport protein; it removes cholesterol from the arteries and takes it to the liver where it can be passed out of the body. High levels of HDL cholesterol lower your risk of developing cardiovascular disease. An HDL level of 60 mg/dL and over is considered excellent, providing you optimal protection.
  • Triglyceride Triglyceride is the most common type of fat in the body. Many people who have heart disease or diabetes have high triglyceride levels. A normal triglyceride level is less than 150 mg/dL.
  • Total cholesterol Total cholesterol is a measure of LDL cholesterol, HDL cholesterol and other lipids. The desirable level of total cholesterol is less than 200mg/dL.

Diabetes

Diabetes mellitus is defined as a fasting blood glucose (blood sugar) of 125 mg/dL or more. Diabetes increases your risk for developing cardiovascular disease.

There are two main types of diabetes. Type 1 diabetes is usually first diagnosed in children and young adults. Type 2 diabetes is the most common form and can develop at any age.

If you have diabetes, no matter which type, it means you have too much glucose in your blood, which can lead to serious health issues. Diabetes and heart disease share similar risk factors — high cholesterol level, high blood pressure and obesity.

Pre-diabetes

People with a fasting blood glucose level between 100 mg/dL and 125 mg/dL have an increased risk for developing Type 2 diabetes. If they do not make lifestyle modifications, they will likely develop diabetes within the next 10 years.

Pre-diabetes is reversible. If you lose weight, maintain a healthy diet and increase your physical activity, you may be able to prevent progression to diabetes.

UCSF Health medical specialists have reviewed this information. It is for educational purposes only and is not intended to replace the advice of your doctor or other health care provider. We encourage you to discuss any questions or concerns you may have with your provider.

Recommended reading

Diagnosing Heart Disease

Various tests are used to diagnose heart disease. These can include, laboratory tests, blood tests, Electrocardiogram, Echocardiogram, EKG and more.

Eating Right for Your Heart

An improved diet can help you manage current health conditions, such as high cholesterol, blood pressure and blood sugar to prevent heart problems. Learn more.

FAQ: Heart Disease

Dr. William Grossman, Director of the Center for Prevention of Heart and Vascular Disease at UCSF, answers some frequently asked questions about heart disease.

FAQ: Heart-healthy Diets

Find commonly asked questions regarding heart-healthy diets, including how to know if you need a transplant, how long the waiting list is, and more.

Heart and Vascular Disease: The Risk Factors

Cardiovascular disease disorders of the heart or blood vessels is the number one cause of death and disability among adults in the U.S. Learn more.

Heart and Vascular Disease: Prevention Tips

The UCSF Nutrition Counseling Clinic answers questions about nutrition and heart health including, some of the biggest myths about heart-healthy foods.

Heart Health Benefits of Physical Activity

Estimate your risk for heart disease by completing this form. The calculator is designed for adults age 20 and older who don't already have heart disease.

Holiday Tips for Heart Health

The UCSF Center for Prevention of Heart & Vascular Disease generated these tips after seeing cardiology patients struggle to maintain health during the holidays

Smoking and Heart Disease

The leading cause of death among smokers is not lung cancer, it is heart disease. 142,600 annual deaths are due to heart and vascular disease. Learn more.

Stress and Heart Disease

Life without stress would be boring. Some types of stress, such as physical activity, actually can help you relax and handle mental or emotional stress.

Weight Management for a Healthy Heart

Achieving and maintaining a healthy weight is one of the best things you can do for your heart. Calculate your own BMI with our online BMI calculator here.

Women and Cardiovascular Disease

Heart disease is the No. 1 killer of American women, and claims the lives of 1 in 3 women, or 500,000 women a year. Learn more here.

Key treatments

  • Catheter Ablation

  • Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator

  • Ventricular assist device (VAD)

Related clinics

Asian Heart and Vascular Center

1600 Divisadero St., Second Floor
San Francisco, CA 94115

(415) 885-3678

Cardiology Clinic at Mount Zion

1600 Divisadero St., Rm A532
San Francisco, CA 94115

(415) 885-3666
M-F, 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

Cardiovascular Care and Prevention Center – Golden Gate Practice

1 Daniel Burnham Ct., Suite 260
San Francisco, CA 94109

(415) 502-5099
M-F, 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

Cardiovascular Care and Prevention Center at Mission Bay

535 Mission Bay Blvd. South
San Francisco, CA 94158

(415) 353-2873
M-F, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Center for Prevention of Heart and Vascular Disease

535 Mission Bay Blvd. South
San Francisco, CA 94158

(415) 514-6541
M-F, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Did you know?

At UCSF Health, we believe a malaria-free world is possible within a generation. We're partnering with countries and regions, as well as organizations like the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and Google, to use technology, machine learning and health care innovations to shrink the malaria map.

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