Introduction: Risk Factors of Atherosclerosis

Atherosclerosis causes coronary artery disease (CAD), which is multifactorial in origin. Usually, genetic predisposition itself won’t cause the disease. Some living habits promote the atherogenic process in genetically vulnerable individuals. A number of risk factors are recognised to predispose to atherosclerosis. Some of them, like age, gender, family history, and race, can’t be changed. They are known as non-modifiable risk factors for CAD. Some other main risk factors, like smoking, blood cholesterol, diabetes, and hypertension, can be modified. Therefore, they are referred to as modifiable risk factors.

Atherosclerosis in one area is usually advanced in other regions of the body too. Individuals with intermittent claudication have a two- to four-fold higher risk of developing CAD, heart failure, or stroke. The risk of myocardial infarction (MI) and heart failure is two-fold greater in stroke patients. After initial MI, there is a three- to six-fold rise in the risk of developing stroke and heart failure.

Sometimes, even most severe form of coronary artery disease (CAD) can arise without any symptoms. One-third of myocardial infarctions occur unrecognised. Thirty to forty per cent acute coronary syndromes come up without any prior warning symptoms to suggest the existence of underlying CAD.


Related Links:

What Is Ischaemic Heart Disease?
Process of Atherosclerosis and Thrombosis
Complications of Atherosclerosis
Non-modifiable Risk Factors of CAD
Modifiable Risk Factors of CAD
Other Risk Factors of CAD
Cardiovascular Disease (CVD) Prevention Policy