Lifestyle Choices & Your Health

What can put you at risk

There are two different risk categories:

Modifiable Risk Factors

These risk factors are things that you can change, they are in your control.

These include:

• Smoking
• Diet/cholesterol
• Blood pressure
• Obesity
• Exercise
• Stress

Generally the type of lifestyle you lead will impact on modifiable risk factors.

Non – modifiable Risk Factors

Things that you can’t change.

These include:

• Gender
• Age
• Family history
• Diabetes
• Ethnicity

If you do have a non-modifiable risk factor this is not to say that there is nothing you can do to lower your risk. If you are aware that you have a non-modifiable risk factor you may want to try and reduce other risk factors by making healthy choices. This can be done by taking positive steps, for example if you know you have family history of CVD you may want to take up plenty of exercise, try and eat a balanced healthy diet and generally take up a healthier lifestyle.