Knowing your risk factors

Knowing your risk factors allows you to focus on the things you can do to improve your heart health

Risk factors are things that increase your chance of developing a disease or condition. Your doctor can explain what risk factors you have, and more importantly what you can do to reduce your risk of future heart events.

Keep in mind that there are some risk factors that you can change and some that you can’t.

Modifiable risk factors

Risk factors that you can change are also called ‘modifiable’ risk factors.

For heart disease, these include things like:

not eating well for your heart
not being active enough
smoking
drinking alcohol.

Having high blood pressure and cholesterol are also considered modifiable risk factors for heart disease – because the heart-healthy habits you create can make a difference!

Non-modifiable risk factors

Risk factors that you can’t change are also called ‘non-modifiable’ risk factors.

For heart disease, these include things like:

getting older
having a family history of premature heart disease (where family members are affected at a young age)
your ethnic background.

Even if you have some risk factors that you can’t change, don’t worry! Focus on the things that you can do to help keep you feeling well and able to do the things you enjoy.

Watch this video as Dr Melinda Sullivan-Bunt, a general practitioner, explains risk factors and the importance of managing them to live well with heart disease.