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Modifiable Risk Behavior: Home Overweight & Obesity High Blood Glucose High Blood Pressure Unhealthy Cholesterol Physical Inactivity Smoking

Non-modifiable Risk Factors

There are a variety of risk factors and lifestyle choices that can contribute to type 2 diabetes and heart disease, which is the leading cause of death among American men and women. Some of these factors are modifiable, meaning they can be changed, and include things like diet, exercise and smoking. Other factors are non-modifiable and cannot be controlled, such as age, gender, race and ethnicity and family history. Although these traits cannot be changed, knowing about them and their associated risks will help in assessing your overall health.

Age: As your age increases, so does your risk for developing cardiovascular disease and diabetes:

• 85 percent of Americans 65 and older die from heart attacks
• Anyone of any age is capable of developing type 2 diabetes, however:
• 10.5 percent of men over the age of 20 have diabetes, and
• 8.8 percent of all women over the age of 20 have diabetes

Race & Ethnicity: The risk of cardiovascular disease and diabetes is higher in certain ethnic groups:

• African Americans, Mexican Americans, American Indians, native Hawaiians and some Asian Americans have an increased risk of diabetes and heart disease. This is partly due to higher rates of high blood pressure, obesity and diabetes in these populations.
• African Americans are also more likely than other ethnic groups to develop type 2 diabetes.

Gender: Gender influences your likelihood of developing heart disease:

• Men are more likely to develop heart disease.
• Once a woman reaches menopause, her risk increases as well, but the prevalence is still not as high as a man’s.

Family History: If a member of your immediate and/or extended family has heart disease or diabetes, your chances of developing those conditions increase as well.

It is essential to share non-modifiable risk factors with a doctor, but the best way to prevent heart disease and type 2 diabetes is to manage the modifiable risk factors.

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Sources:

Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC)
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK)