Lesser-Known Factors Also Raise Heart Risks

An “A list” of well-recognized factors is known to boost a woman’s risk for heart disease. These include high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, obesity, and smoking. But they don’t explain all cases of heart disease. A “B list” of lesser known factors also may contribute to heart problems.

You can avoid some of these B-listers and possibly protect your heart. Here’s how:

• Get your ZZZs. In a study of more than 70,000 women, those who slept 5 or fewer hours a night had a 39% higher risk for heart disease, compared with women who slept 8 hours per night.
• Tame your stress levels, and keep a cool head. Mental stress can lead to high blood pressure. It also can trigger heart attacks. How we deal with stress also counts. In particular, reacting with hostility and anger seems to increase heart risks.
• Steer clear of secondhand smoke. Even if you don’t smoke, breathing smoky air still harms your heart. In one study, nonsmokers regularly exposed to secondhand smoke had a 99% higher risk of having a heart attack or unstable angina.
• Don’t disregard a thick middle. Extra weight around your belly has been linked to high blood pressure and lower levels of “good” (HDL) cholesterol. If a woman’s waist measures more than 35 inches, her heart may be at risk.