Find out the top 3 cardiovascular disease risk factors based on your age, according to a study

Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death globally. The most common types include coronary artery disease, high blood pressure, cardiac arrest, congestive heart failure, arrhythmia, peripheral artery disease, and stroke.

Lifestyle choices associated with the modern, fast-paced life are definitely taking a toll on the heart. There are several factors in our life that contribute to the risk of developing cardiovascular disease. These include lack of physical activity, unhealthy diet, smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, genetics and the gut microbiome. What’s more is that these all factors interact with each other.

A large prospective cohort study reveals how the major modifiable risk factors for cardiovascular disease shift as we age.

The recent study looked at data from almost 200,000 Chinese adults who were 40 years or more in age, to find out the major modifiable risk factors that can lead to cardiovascular diseases. The data was collected between 2011 and 2016 through local community clinics and lifestyle questionnaires.

The participants were divided into different age cohorts: 40 to 55, 55 to 65, 65 to 75, and 75+. It is worth noting that age was not considered as a risk factor in itself but, as the results will show, it affects the other risk factors.

The scientists tracked 12 risk factors including socioeconomic and psychosocial factors such as low education and depression; lifestyle factors such as smoking, high alcohol intake, physical inactivity, unhealthy diet, and inappropriate sleep duration; and metabolic factors such as obesity, diabetes, hypertension, dyslipidemia, and chronic kidney disease.

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According to the research, here are the three main risk factors for cardiovascular disease associated with different age cohorts. For those in the cohort 40–55 years, the factors are hypertension, unhealthy diet and diabetes. Top 3 heart disease factors for cohort 55–65 include hypertension, unhealthy diet and low education.

The researchers found that hypertension, low education and unhealthy diet were responsible for cardiovascular disease risks for those aged between 65–75 years. People in the cohort 75+ age had inappropriate sleep duration, low education and hypertension as their top three risk factors.

The findings of the study can help people to focus on their potential risk factors early on, based on their age, and take appropriate measures to prevent any such health complications.

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There are several ways which can help you to prevent any of these factors from affecting your health. Eat a healthy, balanced diet which is low in fat and high on fibre. Include lots of fresh fruits, vegetables and whole grains in your diet. Regular exercise will help to make your heart more efficient, lower your high cholesterol levels, and maintain your blood pressure at a healthy level.

You should quit smoking as it is a major risk factor for furring of the arteries. Smoking is also responsible for the majority of cases of coronary thrombosis (rupture of preexisting coronary artery plaque, resulting in the artery's complete blockage) in people under the age of 50. Reduce your alcohol consumption and do not binge drink as it increases heart attack risk.