cardiac risk factors

Cardiac risk factors are conditions or behaviors that increase the likelihood of heart problems, such as heart attacks. These include high blood pressure, high cholesterol, smoking, diabetes, obesity, physical inactivity, unhealthy diet, excessive alcohol intake, and a family history of heart disease. Age and gender also play roles—in general, risk rises with age, and men are typically at higher risk earlier than women. Managing these factors through lifestyle changes and medical care can help reduce the chance of developing serious heart conditions and improve overall heart health.