Large-scale clinical and statistical studies have identified several factors that increase the risk of coronary heart disease and heart attack. These factors can contribute to the unwanted buildup of fatty deposits (atherosclerosis) that narrows arteries throughout the body. These major risk factors for coronary heart disease and coronary microvascular disease include:
[icon_list_item icon=”fa-heart” icon_type=”transparent” icon_color=”#8e2b28″ title=”Unhealthy cholesterol levels”][icon_list_item icon=”fa-heart” icon_type=”transparent” icon_color=”#8e2b28″ title=”Smoking” title_size=”High blood pressure or hypertension”][icon_list_item icon=”fa-heart” icon_type=”transparent” icon_color=”#8e2b28″ title=”Smoking”][icon_list_item icon=”fa-heart” icon_type=”transparent” icon_color=”#8e2b28″ title=”Diabetes”][icon_list_item icon=”fa-heart” icon_type=”transparent” icon_color=”#8e2b28″ title=”Overweight or obesity”][icon_list_item icon=”fa-heart” icon_type=”transparent” icon_color=”#8e2b28″ title=”Lack of physical activity”][icon_list_item icon=”fa-heart” icon_type=”transparent” icon_color=”#8e2b28″ title=”Unhealthy diet”][icon_list_item icon=”fa-heart” icon_type=”transparent” icon_color=”#8e2b28″ title=”Older age. (The risk increases for men after 45 years of age and for women after 55 years of age)”][icon_list_item icon=”fa-heart” icon_type=”transparent” icon_color=”#8e2b28″ title=”Family history of early heart disease (first degree relative with heart disease before age 55 for men and below 65 for women)”]
People with these conditions are at risk of heart attacks and should take steps to ameliorate these risk factors right away. You can improve or eliminate many of these risk factors to reduce your chances of having a first or subsequent heart attack. Please see a doctor if you have questions or need help understanding your risk for heart attack.