Risk Factors for Heart Attacks

#7

Cardiology

What are the Risk Factors For Heart Attack?

There are two types of risk factors for heart attack, including those that are inherited (or genetic), or acquired.

Inherited or genetic risk factors are risk factors you are born with that cannot be changed, but can be improved with medical management and lifestyle changes.
Acquired risk factors are caused by activities that we choose to include in our lives that can be managed through lifestyle changes and clinical care.

Who Is Most At Risk - Inherited (Genetic) Factors?

Those most at risk include:

persons with inherited hypertension (high blood pressure)
persons with inherited low levels of HDL (high-density lipoproteins), or high levels of LDL (low-density lipoprotein) blood cholesterol or high levels of triglycerides
persons with a family history of heart disease (especially with onset before age 55)
aging men and women
persons with type 1 diabetes
women, after the onset of menopause (generally, men are at risk at an earlier age than women, but after the onset of menopause, women are equally at risk)

Who Is Most At Risk - Acquired (Genetic) Factors?

Those most at risk include:

persons with acquired hypertension (high blood pressure)
persons with acquired low levels of HDL (high-density lipoproteins), high levels of LDL (low-density lipoprotein) blood cholesterol or high levels of triglycerides
cigarette smokers
people who are under a lot of stress
people who drink too much alcohol
individuals who lead a sedentary lifestyle
persons overweight by 30 percent or more
persons who eat a diet high in saturated fat
persons with Type II diabetes

A heart attack can happen to anyone - it is only when we take the time to learn which of the risk factors apply to us, specifically, can we then take steps to eliminate or reduce them.

Managing Heart Attack Risk Factors

Managing your risks for a heart attack begins with:

examining which of the risk factors apply to you, and then taking steps to eliminate or reduce them.
becoming aware of conditions like hypertension or abnormal cholesterol levels, which may be "silent killers."
modifying risk factors that are acquired, not inherited, through lifestyle changes. See your physician as the first step in starting right away to make these changes.
consulting your physician soon to determine if you have risk factors that are genetic or inherited and cannot be changed, but can be managed medically and through lifestyle changes.