Heart Attack Risk Factors

Extensive clinical studies have revealed a significant group of factors that increase the risk for coronary artery disease and heart attacks. The American Heart Association classified the risk factors in two major categories:

According to the first category, the risk factors that can be controlled, modified, and treated are:

1. High levels of cholesterol. Cholesterol is a waxy, fat-like substance that is found in all the body's cells and is introduced into the body through different types of food. The body uses cholesterol to produce hormones, vitamin D, and substances used during digestion. If present in high amounts, cholesterol can increase the risk for heart diseases. On its own, cholesterol does not cause symptoms, but it can slowly build inside the arteries forming what is known as plaque. In time the plaque narrows the arteries (a condition called atherosclerosis).

2. High blood pressure or hypertension. Blood pressure measures the amount of blood pumped by the heart and the force of the blood against the walls of the arteries. High blood pressure can cause several health problems, such as: coronary artery disease, stroke, congestive heart failure, and kidney failure. Hypertension (both systolic and diastolic) is associated with an increased risk of a heart attack. This risk can be efficiently decreased with medication that controls hypertension.

3. Tobacco use. Unfortunately, smoking is another dangerous factor that significantly increases the risk for heart attacks. Smoking alone increases the risk of fatal and non-fatal heart attacks in both men and women. Smokers have a 2 to 4 times the risk of developing coronary artery disease than non-smokers. Certain substances that enter the body when smoking damage the blood vessels which elicits the development of atherosclerosis, thereby increasing the risk of a heart attack. Smoking also increases the risk for blood clots. The risk of a heart attack is higher in women that smoke and use oral contraceptives.

The risk of heart attack decreases significantly when the person quits smoking. One year of smoking cessation drops the risk of heart attack to one half of what is was before.

4. Physical inactivity. An inactive lifestyle increases the risk of coronary heart disease, contributes to high levels of cholesterol, and obesity, therefore increasing the risk for a heart attack. A moderate to vigorous level of activity prevents the development of heart disorders, reduces cholesterol, prevents obesity and diabetes, lowers blood pressure, and reduces the risk of heart attack.

5. Obesity. Obesity is a factor that increases the risk of numerous health problems. Obesity is associated with high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, and heart problems. People that have excessive amounts of fat around the waist area face a great risk of developing heart disorders and experiencing strokes. Excess weight increases the amount of work the heart needs to peform just to maintain normal living.

6. Diabetes. Diabetes is a medical condition where the body either does not produce enough insulin, or the insulin is not properly used. Diabetes increases the risk of cardiovascular diseases and heart attacks. Increased incidence of large vessel atheriosclerosis and heart attack is high in patients with type1 and type 2 diabetes. Therefore, it is important for these patients to keep the level of glucose under control with medication or diet.

7. Alcohol use. Consumed in moderate amounts, alcohol can prevent heart attacks. However, men should not drink more than two drinks per day, while women should limit themselves to one drink per day (or less). Excessive amounts of alcohol leads to increased blood pressure and therefore increases the risk of a heart attack.

1. Age. Heart attacks are more frequent in men older than 45 and women older than 55. The younger population faces a higher risk of a heart attack if they use illegal drugs, suffer from obesity, or heart disease.

2. Gender. The incidence of coronary artery disease and heart attack is higher in men than in women in all age groups.

3. Family history of coronary artery disease. A family history of coronary artery diseases increases the individual's risk for atherosclerosis and heart attack.

Conditions & Diseases: Cardiovascular System

Heart Attack (Myocardial Infarction)