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Who's 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.