Why Should I Control My Risk Factors?
Cardiac risk factors increase the chance that you may get heart disease. They can also increase the risk of your heart disease getting worse.
Your risk of worsening heart disease increases when you have more than one risk factor. Coronary artery disease (CAD) is a progressive disease, which means that it is more likely to get worse if your risk factors are not under control.
Managing your risk factors means that you need to pay attention to all the risks that could affect your heart disease. It also means you will likely need to make some changes in your lifestyle to help get them under control.
Types of Risk Factors
There are two types of risk factors:
Modifable risk factors
These factors you can change and control.
Non-modifiable risk factors
These are factors that you cannot change or control.
Control Your Risk Factors
Take action to control your modifiable risk factors.
- Know your risk factors for coronary artery disease.
- Know your numbers. For example, what is your blood pressure?
- Identify which risk factors are “under control” and which are “not under control”.
- Learn what steps you need to take to control your risk factors.
Resources
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Heart and Stroke Foundation Website on risk factors for heart disease (opens in new window)
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Ottawa Heart Institute on risk factors for heart disease (opens in new window)