Heart disease is the leading cause of death for both men and women.
Learn more about our cardiovascular center.
Heart Disease Prevention & Risk Factors
At the University Health Cardiovascular Center, we believe the most effective heart care starts with prevention. Our specialists work with patients across San Antonio and South Texas to identify risk factors early, protect artery health and lower the risk of heart disease before it starts.
Risk Factors for Heart Disease
Heart disease is often preventable, with some risk factors contributing to a higher risk of heart disease. While some of these factors, such as aging and family history, cannot be prevented, others are manageable.
Risk factors for heart disease include:
- Being a man or a postmenopausal woman
- Complications during pregnancy like high blood pressure, gestational diabetes, pre-eclampsia or eclampsia
- Diabetes
- Family history of heart disease
- High alcohol intake
- High blood pressure
- High cholesterol
- Lack of exercise
- Obesity
- Older age
- Poor oral health
- Sleep apnea
- Smoking
- Unhealthy diet high in salt and saturated fat
- Unmanaged stress
Here you will find heart doctors who work together to treat conditions that lead to heart problems. You won’t have to travel to find the specialized care you need — we’re all in one place.
Tips to Prevent Heart Disease
With personalized care and community resources through our Institute for Public Health, we make it easier to protect your heart.
Here are ways you can start to prevent and lower your risk of heart disease:
