They include smoking, hyper-cholesterolemia, high blood pressure, diabetes, and high blood levels of triglycerides, homocysteine, and fibrinogen. Obesity and stress are not among the direct risk factors. They may increase the risk if they cause any of the aforementioned problems. Alcohol actually protects the heart against atherosclerosis to some degree. Yet, it damages other organs, such as the liver.
Smoking is the most important lifestyle risk and the most easy to eliminiate.
The bad type of cholesterol is also of great importance and can be lowered most easily by modern drugs called statins. The protective kind of cholesterol can be increased by regular physical activity. The risk factor high blood pressure must be looked for and treated if found. Except for drastic weight reduction or the unpleasant and somewhat dangerous measure to reduce fluid and salt intake, only medical treatment can significantly reduce blood pressure. Cardiac arrest is the most common cause of death.