The main risk factors for coronary disease are well established and have been the subject of many large, international representative studies.
The main modifiable risk factors include smoking, physical inactivity, excess alcohol consumption, levels of mental stress, overweight and obesity, diets high in saturated fats and low in fruit and vegetables, hypertension, dyslipidemia and diabetes.
National and regional differences
The prevalence rates of most modifiable risk factors for cardiovascular disease vary in different countries and regions of the United Kingdom.
Socio-economic differences
The difference between those in high and low socio-economic groups is marked in some risk factors but not in others. For example, managerial or professional men and women are about half as likely to smoke as those in semi-routine or routine occupations.
