Risk Factors

More than 180 million people worldwide have diabetes. By 2030, it is estimated, this number will more than double.

Raised blood pressure is estimated to cause 4.5% of the global disease burden and is a major risk factor for heart disease, stroke, and renal failure.

The number of overweight people in the world now matches the number of underweight people, and in poor settings underweight and overweight often coexist.

Healthy levels of total cholesterol, triglycerides, low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol can help prevent cardiovascular disease.

Depression, anxiety, stress, isolation, and hostility are among the psychological and emotional factors that increase risk of cardiovascular disease.

Age, gender, race/ethnicity, and family history are risk factors that cannot be changed, but awareness of these risk factors is important for prevention.