In the world of health, the term risk factor comes up often. Risk factors are things that can increase the likelihood of someone experiencing a health problem. It is important to understand that having a risk factor does not mean you will certainly become ill; rather, it signals a need for greater attention. Risk factors are generally divided into two groups.
Factors That Cannot Be Changed
Some things are inherent to a person and cannot be changed. For example:
- Age, because some risks increase as you get older
- Sex, which influences the tendency toward certain conditions
- Family health history and hereditary factors
Even though they cannot be changed, recognizing these factors is still useful. Awareness of your inherent risks helps you and your doctor decide how often certain conditions need to be monitored.
Factors That Can Be Changed
The good news is that many risk factors are actually within our everyday control. This is the part you can influence the most, for example:
- Your daily eating patterns
- Your level of physical activity and your habits of staying active
- Smoking habits and alcohol consumption
- The quality of your sleep and how you manage stress
- Keeping your weight within a healthy range
Changes to these factors, even gradual ones, can have a good effect on your overall health.
Approaching Risk Factors Wisely
The healthiest way to approach risk factors is to focus on those you can change, without worrying excessively about those you cannot. Factors that cannot be changed are not a reason to give up, but rather a reason to care more about the factors that are still within your control. Combining the two, together with regular check-ups, helps you manage your health with more direction.
How much a given risk factor affects you personally depends greatly on your individual circumstances, and is best assessed by a doctor.
This article aims to help understanding, not to serve as a diagnosis. A risk assessment suited to your condition is best carried out by a doctor in person. If you would like to understand your personal risk factors further, do not hesitate to consult a doctor, including a 20FIT doctor.