Heart and Vascular Disease: The Risk Factors

Cardiovascular disease refers to disorders of the heart or any of the blood vessels. These include:

Some cardiovascular diseases, like heart valve defects, congenital heart disease and aortic aneurysms, do not have risk factors. However, many cardiovascular disorders are acquired.

Heart and vascular risk factors include:

High blood pressure
High cholesterol
Diabetes
Smoking
Family history

You cannot change your family history or your genetics. But, you can help guard against many of these risk factors by:

Not smoking
Eating a low-fat diet
Exercising regularly
Maintaining a healthy weight
Talking to your doctor about your questions and concerns

UCSF Health medical specialists have reviewed this information. It is for educational purposes only and is not intended to replace the advice of your doctor or other health care provider. We encourage you to discuss any questions or concerns you may have with your provider.

Recommended reading

Heart and Vascular Disease: The Facts

Here are some tips from the UCSF Heart & Vascular Center to keep yourself informed and lower your risk of becoming another heart and vascular disease statistic.

Heart and Vascular Disease: Prevention Tips

The UCSF Nutrition Counseling Clinic answers questions about nutrition and heart health including, some of the biggest myths about heart-healthy foods.

Diet and Congestive Heart Failure

Congestive heart failure (CHF) occurs when the heart does not pump efficiently and does not deliver enough oxygen to your body. Learn how diet can lead to CHF.

Heart Healthy Tips

Physical activity, along with following a healthy diet and not smoking, is one of the most important things you can do to keep your heart and lungs healthy.

Holiday Tips for Heart Health

The UCSF Center for Prevention of Heart & Vascular Disease generated these tips after seeing cardiology patients struggle to maintain health during the holidays

How the Heart Works

The heart is muscular and hollow, constantly pumping blood to deliver oxygen and nutrients to the body and is comprised of four compartments. Learn more.

Women and Cardiovascular Disease

Heart disease is the No. 1 killer of American women, and claims the lives of 1 in 3 women, or 500,000 women a year. Learn more here.

Key treatments

Related clinics

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Asian Heart and Vascular Center

1600 Divisadero St., Second Floor
San Francisco, CA 94115

(415) 885-3678

Cardiology Clinic at Mount Zion

1600 Divisadero St., Rm A532
San Francisco, CA 94115

(415) 885-3666

M-F, 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

Cardiovascular Care and Prevention Center – Golden Gate Practice

1 Daniel Burnham Ct., Suite 260
San Francisco, CA 94109

(415) 502-5099

M-F, 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

Cardiovascular Care and Prevention Center at Mission Bay

535 Mission Bay Blvd. South
San Francisco, CA 94158

(415) 353-2873

M-F, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Center for Prevention of Heart and Vascular Disease