Who gets coronary artery disease?

Who gets coronary artery disease?

You have an increased risk of coronary artery disease if you:

• Have a high cholesterol level (especially a high LDL “bad” cholesterol level and a low HDL “good” cholesterol level).
• Have high blood pressure.
• Family history of heart disease.
• Have diabetes.
• Are a smoker.
• Are a man over 45 years of age or a post-menopausal woman.
• Are overweight.
• Are physically inactive.
• Are Black, Mexican American, Native American, Native Hawaiian or Asian American. The increased risks are caused by higher rates of high blood pressure, obesity and diabetes in these populations.

If you have these risk factors, talk with your healthcare provider. They may want to test you for coronary artery disease.