History helps determine what may be causing this patient's cardiac symptoms. Therefore, the nurse should evaluate not only the symptoms but also the patient's family history of heart disease and lifestyle or habits that may increase the chances of developing heart disease. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an original essay. However, there are modifiable risk factors that patients can control. For example, tobacco use, physical inactivity, stress, obesity, stress, hypertension and high cholesterol. Smoking cigarettes plays a significant role in the development of cardiovascular disease, according to the CDC smoking cigarettes increases the chances of increasing the patient's triglyceride levels, lowers the patient's HDL (good cholesterol) and causes thickening and narrowing of blood vessels. High cholesterol is another major risk factor as it causes atherosclerosis, which can lead to heart attacks and peripheral vascular disease. Obesity and physical inactivity are also examples of modifiable risk factors. According to the American Heart Association, obese people (especially those who have excess body fat at the waist) are more likely to develop heart disease even if they have no other risk factors. Physical activity can help lower blood pressure, cholesterol and strengthen heart muscles. Additionally, diet can contribute to the development of heart disease. For example, a diet high in saturated fat (which can cause atherosclerosis) and high in sodium (which raises blood pressure) may be linked to heart disease. Finally, stress is another important modifiable risk factor. Stressful events can trigger a temporary increase in blood pressure and release cortisol. According to studies by the American Heart Association, high cortisol levels due to long-term stress increase the risk of hypertension and even premature death from cardiovascular disease. Examples of non-modifiable risk factors include age, gender, family history, and race. According to the American Heart Association, most people who die from coronary heart disease are 65 or older. Men also have a higher risk of developing heart disease than women. Race is also another important factor that cannot be changed. According to the American Heart Association, the likelihood of developing heart disease is higher among African Americans, Mexicans, American Indians, Native Hawaiians and some Asian Americans. These are all examples of non-modifiable risk factors that unfortunately cannot be controlled by the patient. Please note: this is just an example. Get a custom paper from our expert writers now. Get a Custom Essay The nursing assessment of the cardiovascular system includes a physical exam and the patient's health history. According to Williams & Hopper (2011) a family history of cardiovascular disease is evaluated because many heart problems are hereditary. According to the CDC, it is also likely that patients with a family history of heart disease may share common factors that increase their risk of developing heart disease. Therefore, a family history of heart disease and the patient's lifestyle play an important role in the development of heart disease.