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Doctor | Living With CAD and Angina | Resource Guide

Risk Factors for Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) and Angina
by Michelle Badash, MS
En Espaol (Spanish Version)
A risk factor is something that increases your likelihood of getting a disease or condition.
It is possible to develop CAD or angina with or without the risk factors listed below. However, the more risk
factors you have, the greater your likelihood of developing CAD or angina. If you have a number of risk factors,
ask your healthcare provider what you can do to reduce your risk.
Lifestyle Factors
Certain lifestyle factors may cause atherosclerosis, which can lead to CAD. These include:
Physical inactivity, which can lead to obesity
Smoking, which damages both blood vessels and the lungs
A diet that is high in saturated fat, trans fat, cholesterol, or calories
Excessive consumption of alcohol, which can lead to high blood pressure and high triglyceride levels
Certain Medical Conditions
If you have any of the following medical conditions, you are at greater risk of developing angina and CAD:
Hypertension (high blood pressure)
High blood cholesterol and triglycerides
Diabetes
Obesity and overweight
Stress
Depression
Genetic Factors
You are at greater risk if you have a strong family history of CAD or angina.
Gender
Men tend to develop atherosclerosis earlier the women. However, a womans risk rises once she enters menopause
, and heart disease is the leading cause of death in both sexes.
Certain Blood Test Results
Recent research has found an association between levels of certain amino acids or proteins in the blood and the
risk of developing CAD. Clinicians and policymakers have not yet recommended widespread screening for these
levels since they are not sure that these tests will add benefit to those already in place for the general poplulation.
Talk to your doctor to find out the latest recommendations and see if these tests make sense for you.
HomocysteineHigh levels may mean an increased risk of CAD.
C-reactive proteinHigh levels may mean an increased risk of CAD.
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Age
Your risk of angina and CAD increases as you get older. Men older than 45 and women older than 55 (or younger
if they have premature menopause) are at greater risk of heart disease.
Race and Ethnic Factors
African Americans have a higher incidence of hypertension than Caucasians and, therefore, a higher risk of
developing CAD. Heart disease risk is also higher among Mexican Americans, American Indians, native
Hawaiians, and some Asian Americans.
REFERENCES:
Braunwald's Heart Disease: A Textbook of Cardiovascular Medicine. 7th ed. WB Saunders; 2005.
Depression is a risk factor for coronary artery disease in men. Archives of Internal Medicine. 1998;158.
The Homocysteine Studies Collaboration. Homocysteine and risk of ischemic heart disease and stroke: a
meta-analysis. JAMA. 2002;288:2015-2022.
Mosca L. C-reactive proteinto screen or not to screen. N Engl J Med. 2002;347:1615-1617.
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute website. Available at: http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/ .
Ridker PM, et al. Comparison of C-reactive protein and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels in the
prediction of first cardiovascular events. N Engl J Med. 2002;347:1557-1565.
Risk factors and coronary heart disease. American Heart Association website. Available at:
http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=4726 . Accessed November 2003.
Wilson PWF. Homocysteine and coronary heart disease. How great is the hazard? JAMA. 2002;288:2042-2043.
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Last reviewed May 2007 by Craig Clark, DO, FACC, FAHA, FASE
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