Risk factors

What does "Risk factors" mean in a report or doctor's letter? In our medical dictionary, you will find a patient-friendly explanation of the meaning of this medical term.

Explanation

"Risk factors" in medicine refer to things that increase a person's chances of getting a disease or health condition. These can include certain behaviors, like smoking or not exercising, or certain conditions, like high blood pressure or obesity. They can also include things a person can't control, like age or family history of a disease. Having one or more risk factors doesn't guarantee a person will get the disease, it just makes it more likely.

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