In a study that will be published in The Lancet shortly, comes the most definitive look at risk factors causing heart disease. Some key observations:

* 90% of the risk factors can be prevented
* risk factors are similar across different regions and race

So, what are the risk factors? Here they are, in order of importance:

1) poor HDL/LDL ratio
2) smoking
3) diabetes
4) stress
5) poor vegetable and/or fruit intake
6) lack of exercise

The importance of stress comes as a surprise. I believe this is one of the first major studies that acknowledges its importance. More to come when I can read the actual abstract when it is published in a few weeks.