What are the risk factors of atherosclerosis?
The traditional risk factors which include, age (over 60), family member with early (before 60) heart disease, high cholesterol, stress, a known cholesterol or lipid disorder, diabetes, hypertension, obesity, a sedentary lifestyle, and smoking are often treated erratically. Newer diagnostic tests measure a variety of risk factors that are reversible and treatable. These include elevated homocysteine, Lipoprotein (a), fibrinogen, C – reactive protein, LDL particle density, inflammatory mediators, and hormone and antioxidant levels.