Heart Attack Risk

Are You at Risk for a Heart Attack?

Right now, thousands of people across the United States are at risk for a heart attack. Are you one of them? Knowing your own personal risk of having a cardiac event such as a heart attack or stroke can be lifesaving.

It is important to measure your risk and make a plan for how to prevent it. There are three types of risk factors that are critical to understanding your risk: major risk factors, contributing risk factors and modifiable risk factors.

Major Risk Factors

These factors are based on extensive clinical and statistical studies that have been shown to considerably increase the risk of heart disease. These include factors that cannot be changed such as heredity, if you are a male or if you are 65 years of age or older.

Modifiable Risk Factors

Other major risk factors include high blood cholesterol, smoking, high blood pressure, an inactive lifestyle, obesity or diabetes. These factors can be modified or controlled through a conversation with your physician.

Contributing Risk Factors

Stress, over consumption of alcohol and poor diet and nutrition are all factors that contribute to heart disease according the American Heart Association. Leading a healthy and active lifestyle combined with well-rounded nutrition and diet has shown to decrease your risk of heart disease.

Additional Risk Factors

Previous cardiac events or heart disease put you at an increased risk of having another. High blood pressure, severe lung disease, diabetes and sleep apnea also increase your risk of a heart attack.