Risk factors are conditions that increase the risk of developing heart disease. There are two types of risk factors: “Fixed Risk Factors” and “Modifiable Risk Factors.”

“Fixed Risk Factors” are those factors that we have no control over. Those risk factors include:

• gender
• family history
• age

Risk factors that can be changed or controlled are referred to as “Modifiable Risk Factors.” These factors include:

• high blood pressure
• high cholesterol
• smoking
• obesity
• physical inactivity
• diabetes

Stress is sometimes listed as a possible risk factor for coronary artery disease but, in reality, we still don’t understand the role that stress plays in the development of heart disease.

Although each of these factors increases the risk of coronary artery disease, they do not describe all of the causes. In other words, even if a person had none of these risk factors, they could still develop coronary artery disease.