Who Is At Risk?
Heart attacks strike both men and women. However, some persons are more likely than others to have a heart attack because of their "risk factors." Risk factors are behaviors or conditions that increase the chance of a disease. Some of the risk factors for heart attack are beyond your control, but most can be modified to help you lower your risk of having a first-or repeat-heart attack.
Factors that increase the risk of a heart attack are:
Factors you cannot control:
Pre-existing coronary heart diseases, including a previous heart attack, a prior angioplasty or bypass surgery, or angina
Age-In men, the risk increases after age 45; in women, the risk increases after age 55.
Family history of early heart disease-a father or brother diagnosed before age 55; or a mother or sister diagnosed before age 65.
Factors you can control:
Smoking
High blood pressure
High blood cholesterol
Overweight and obesity
Physical inactivity
Diabetes
Risk factors do not add their effects in a simple way. Rather, they multiply each other's effects. So, it is very important to prevent or control risk factors that can be modified. If you have one or more of these factors, see your health care provider to find out how to reduce your risk of having a first or repeat heart attack.
Find out if you are at an increased risk of having a heart attack.
