Among the many contributors to heart disease, high blood pressure (hypertension) stands out as the most common and significant risk factor. In large population studies, approximately one in three adults has high blood pressure, making it the leading modifiable risk factor for heart disease[1][2][3][4]. High blood pressure is often called a “silent killer” because it usually has no symptoms but can cause significant damage to the heart and blood vessels if left untreated[2][4].
High cholesterol is another major risk factor, affecting roughly one-third of adults in many populations[1][3][4]. Elevated levels of LDL (“bad”) cholesterol and low levels of HDL (“good”) cholesterol contribute to the buildup of plaques in arteries, increasing the risk of heart attacks and strokes[5][2][4].
Diabetes is also highly prevalent and significantly increases the risk of cardiovascular disease, even when blood sugar is well controlled[5][6]. People with diabetes frequently have associated conditions such as high blood pressure and abnormal cholesterol, further compounding their risk[5][6].
Other commonly observed risk factors include:
- Obesity and physical inactivity, which are closely linked to the development of high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and diabetes[1][2][7][8].
- Smoking, which doubles the risk of developing heart disease[1][9].
- Unhealthy diet and excessive alcohol use, which contribute to the above conditions[7][8].
