Heart Attack
Frequently Asked Questions
7. Who is at greatest risk of a heart attack?
Certain factors increase the risk of developing coronary heart disease and having a heart attack. These risk factors include some things you cannot change. You are at greater risk if you
- are a man over age 45 or a woman over age 55.
- have a family history of early heart disease -- heart disease in a father or brother before age 55 or in a mother or sister before age 65.
- have a personal history of angina or previous heart attack.
- have had a heart procedure, such as angioplasty or heart bypass.
Importantly, there are many risk factors for heart attack that you CAN change, including
- smoking
- being obese or overweight
- being physically inactive
- having high blood pressure, high blood cholesterol or diabetes.
