Risk Factors of CHD

Smoking can significantly increase the risk of death from CHD. Nicotine can make arteries constrict, causing an increase in high blood pressure.

High Blood Pressure risk factors of HBP are genetics, high salt intake, lack of exercise and alcoholism. HBP can cause arteries to develop thicker walls and theref. the lumen to become narrower. This narrowing increases BP even more which can damage the inner surface making atheroma more likely to develop. This can also cause heart damage; the ventricles can enlarge or heart failure may occur as a result of irregularity of the heartbeat.

High Concentration of LDL's in the Blood LDL's are made up of trigyclerides, cholesterol and proteins and are involved in the formation of atheroma. Cholesterol is essential for the synthesis of cell membranes. It is transported in the blood by LDLs from the liver where lipoproteins are made from fats and cholesterol in the diet. However, when the diet contains excess fats (esp. Saturated fats) the quantity of LDLs in the blood rises and risk of developing CHD is increased. The blood also contains HDL's which have a higher proportion of protein in their structure. They absorb excess cholesterol and return it to the liver to be removed from the blood. People with a high ratio of HDL's to LDL's have a lower risk of developing CHD.