Certain conditions are considered to put a person at greater risk of developing
coronary heart disease. These include:
- Smoking
- High blood pressure
- Diabetes mellitus
- Obesity
- Lack of exercise
- Eating a poor diet
- Age (particularly 50+)
- Low 'good' cholesterol (HDL)
- High 'bad' cholesterol (LDL)
- Menopause
- Genetics (heredity)
- Increased levels of lipoprotein (a), C-reactive protein,
or homocysteine
The menopause and heart disease in women
All women are exposed to an increased risk of heart disease after menopause, regardless of their pre-existing health and irrespective of the degree to which they experience menopausal symptoms. As oestrogen levels drop, the protective role it has played is diminished, and the chance of plaque and fatty deposits building up on the artery walls is increased.
