re: Question to libs about prexisting conditions and high risk

quote:

---

Genetic factors likely play some role in high blood pressure, heart disease, and other related conditions. However, it is also likely that people with a family history of heart disease share common environments and other potential factors that increase their risk.

The risk for heart disease can increase even more when heredity combines with unhealthy lifestyle choices, such as smoking cigarettes and eating an unhealthy diet.

---

quote:

---

Cigarette smoking is the most important preventable cause of premature death in the United States. It accounts for more than 440,000 of the more than 2.4 million annual deaths. Cigarette smokers have a higher risk of developing several chronic disorders. These include fatty buildups in arteries, several types of cancer and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (lung problems). Atherosclerosis (buildup of fatty substances in the arteries) is a chief contributor to the high number of deaths from smoking. Many studies detail the evidence that cigarette smoking is a major cause of coronary heart disease, which leads to heart attack.

---

quote:

---

Smoking is a major cause of CVD and causes one of every three deaths from CVD.9 Smoking can:

---

quote:

---

Heart disease and stroke are major causes of death and disability in the United States. Many people are at high risk for these diseases and don’t know it. The good news is that many risk factors for heart disease and stroke can be prevented or controlled.

---

quote:

---

In addition to your ABCS, several lifestyle choices can help protect your heart and brain health. These include the following:13,14

Avoid breathing secondhand smoke.
Eat low-fat, low-salt foods most of the time and fresh fruits and vegetables.
Maintain a healthy weight.
Exercise regularly.
Limit alcohol use.
Get other health conditions (such as diabetes) under control.

---