Smoking4 Responsible for 52% of heart failure in the US Coronary artery disease (high cholesterol has no direct link to HF) Diabetes4 Doubles risk of HF Hypertension13,4 Increases risk of development as well as mortality Physical inactivity4 Living an active life is associated with a lower life-time risk of developing HF Genetics4 Direct family history of heart failure increases your risk of developing HF earlier in life Blacks have a higher proportion for developing HF compared to whites. (68% vs. 49%) Risk by race: Blacks, Hispanics, whites, Chinese Americans. Age4 Significant jump in heart failure prevalence in people 60+