start protecting against it.
The disease can begin in childhood, notes Dr. Edward Fisher, a professor of cardiovascular medicine at NYU School of Medicine in New York City.
“Preventive measures instituted early are thought to have greater lifetime benefits. Healthy lifestyles will delay the progression of CAD, and there is hope that CAD can be regressed before it causes CHD,” Fisher said recently.
Certain lifestyle behaviors can put someone at higher risk for heart trouble. These include physical inactivity, unhealthy eating and smoking, the CDC said. Having high cholesterol levels is another risk factor, as is high blood pressure, diabetes and obesity, according to AHA.
Chronic kidney disease, high stress and poor sleep can also factor into heart disease, according to the Mayo Clinic.
So do obstructive sleep apnea, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein and preeclampsia during pregnancy, along with autoimmune disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis and lupus.
Women have higher risks after menopause, while men do after age 45.
Some of the risks are genetic, especially if there is a family history of heart problems before age 50, the CDC added.
Coronary heart disease symptoms
Chest pressure, pain or tightness can suggest CHD, according to Mayo Clinic. Shortness of breath and fatigue are signs, too.
Other symptoms include weakness, lightheadedness, nausea, a cold sweat or pain/discomfort in