Heart Disease Risk Factors

Featuring Dr. Brett Heilbron, MD, FRCPC, Cardiologist

Duration: 1 minute

Risk factors for heart disease can be divided up into those that are modifiable and those that are not.

In terms of the ones that are not, by far the biggest risk factor is age, so advancing age is a very strong predictor of a cardiovascular event. There are a number of modifiable risk factors as well.

In particular, diet and exercise are things that really need to be encouraged in terms of preventing the development of heart disease and also modifying the outcome once people actually have developed heart disease. It's important for people to know what the risk factors are and what to do about them. If they've got concerns, I think it's important that they consult their physician.

If you have questions about cardiac treatment, contact a local cardiologist or family physician.

Presenter: Dr. Brett Heilbron, Cardiologist, Vancouver, BC

Local Practitioners: Cardiologist