The medical history helps determine what might be the cause of this patient's cardiac symptoms. Therefore, the nurse should not only assess the symptoms, but also the patient's family history of heart disease and lifestyle or habits that might increase the chances of developing heart disease. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get an original essay However, there are modifiable risk factors that patients are able to control. For example smoking, physical inactivity, stress, obesity, high blood pressure and high cholesterol. Smoking cigarettes plays an important role in the development of cardiovascular diseases. According to the CDC, smoking cigarettes increases the chances of raising the patient's triglyceride levels, lowers the patient's HDL (good cholesterol), and causes thickening and narrowing of blood vessels. High cholesterol is another important risk factor because 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 fat around their 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 sodium (which increases 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 the American Heart Association, studies suggest that high cortisol levels due to long-term stress increase the risk of high blood pressure 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, the majority of people who die from coronary heart disease are 65 or older. Additionally, men are at greater risk of developing heart disease than women. Race is also another important factor that cannot be changed. According to the American Heart Association, the risks of developing heart disease are higher among African Americans of Mexican origin, American Indians, Hawaiians and some Asian Americans. These are all examples of non-modifiable risk factors that unfortunately cannot be controlled by the patient. Keep in mind: this is just a sample. Get a personalized article from our expert writers now. Get a Personalized Test The nursing assessment of the cardiovascular system includes a physical examination as well as the patient's medical history. According to Williams & Hopper (2011), 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 share common factors that increase their risk of developing heart disease. Therefore, family history of heart disease as well as the patient's lifestyle play a role..