Risk Factors

  • Smoking
  • Diabetes
  • High blood pressure (140/90 mmHg or higher)
  • Obesity (body mass index > 30)
  • High cholesterol (total blood cholesterol > 240 mg % or 6.2 millimoles/ litre)
  • Increasing age > 50 years.
  • A family history of heart disease or stroke or PAD.
  • High levels of homocysteine, a protein that helps build and maintain tissue.