177 CARDIOVASCULAR RISK-FACTORS, CLASSIFIED IN 10 CATEGORIES, TO BE CONSIDERED IN THE PREVENTION OF CARDIOVASCULAR-DISEASES - AN UPDATE OF THE ORIGINAL 1982 ARTICLE CONTAINING 96 RISK-FACTORS

The first comprehensive listing of cardiovascular risk factors was pre sented in this journal in 1982 in the article, ''96 Cardiovascular Ris k Factors'' (by Y. Omura & S. Heller), which was the most extensive li st of cardiovascular risk factors written on the subject at that time. Since then, much research has been carried out to identify cardiovasc ular risk factors; according to the authors' most recent computer sear ch, close to 9,000 articles appeared between 1982 and 1996. Upon initi al review of most of the abstracts of these articles, we were surprise d to find that the number of cardiovascular risk factors has increased significantly (79 new factors in addition to those we published in 19 82). With a few exceptions (7 risk factors are now considered to be qu estionable), those we listed in 1982 are still valid today, and have b een further confirmed with additional data and improved technology. Th rough reviewing the abstracts of these articles, we found about 177 ca rdiovascular risk factors, including most of the 96 previously listed. Of the original 96, we have identified those now considered to be que stionable, e.g. taking oral contraceptives, which today contain signif icantly lower doses of estrogen than in the past and are therefore muc h safer. Ail 177 cardiovascular risk factors are classified into the f ollowing 10 major categories, with the 11th category listing those fac tors now considered to be questionable: 1) Nutrition-Related Cardiovas cular Risk Factors (33 risk factors) 2) Internal Cardiovascular Risk F actors Identifiable by Laboratory Tests: Abnormal Blood & Tissue Chemi stry Findings Related to Cardiovascular Diseases (35 risk factors) 3) Drug, Chemical, Hormonal, and Nutritional Supplement Intake (Including Drug-Drug Interaction and Drug-Food Interaction) As Cardiovascular Ri sk Factors (34 risk factors) 4) Signs and Symptoms Associated With a H igh Incidence of Cardiovascular Diseases (33 risk factors) 5) Non-Inva sively Detectable Abnormal Laboratory Findings Associated With Cardiov ascular Diseases (13 risk factors) 6) Hereditary Cardiovascular Risk F actors (5 risk factors) 7) Environmental Cardiovascular Risk Factors, Including Air Pollution, Electromagnetic Fields, Materials that Contac t the Body Surface, Poisonous Venoms, and Insertion of Needle into Inf ected Body Tissue by Acupuncture or Injection (14 risk factors) 8) Soc ioeconomic and Demographic Cardiovascular Risk Factors (7 risk factors ) 9) Cardiovascular Risk Factors Related to Medical Care (2 risk facto rs) 1 0) Go-existence of Multiple Cardiovascular Risk Factors (1 risk factor) 11) Factors Previously Regarded As Cardiovascular Risk Factors , But Now in Question (7 risk factors) While a few factors, like hered itary characteristics, age, and sex, generally cannot be changed, most of the cardiovascular risk factors can be controlled by changing one' s lifestyle, maintaining proper dietary intake, and correcting any exi sting abnormalities once each individual's unique constellation of car diovascular risk factors is recognized. Some factors can be recognized by individuals themselves, but many other factors require physical ex aminations and laboratory tests by a physician or properly trained par amedical to be recognized. Medical examinations and blood chemistry an d other laboratory tests may be necessary to establish baselines and m easure changes over time. Once abnormal parameters are identified, per iodic examinations should follow with proper corrective measures monit ored by a qualified medical professional.