What factors can contribute to the likelihood of having a heart attack?

• High Blood Pressure

Over time, prolonged high blood pressure (> 140/90) can damage arteries that feed your heart its blood supply, contributing to atherosclerosis ("hardening" of the arteries). The risk of high blood pressure increases with age and can also be an inherited problem. Eliminating high sodium foods and obesity will aid in keeping blood pressure down.

• High Cholesterol Levels

Cholesterol is the large part of deposits that can narrow arteries throughout your body, especially the coronary arteries that feed the heart. There is good cholesterol (HDL) and there is bad cholesterol (LDL). The LDL cholesterol is most likely the cause of narrowing arteries contributing to heart disease and is found in foods high in saturated fat. HDL cholesterol helps your body clean up excess cholesterol, and lowers your risk for heart disease.

• Cigarette Smoke

Smoking, and long term exposure to smoke, causes damage to the interior walls of the arteries, which allows deposits of cholesterol to build up and hamper blood flow. Smoking also increases the formation of blood clots that can cause heart disease.

• Obesity

Obesity raises the risk of heart disease because it is often associated with inactivity, high blood pressure, high cholesterol levels, and diabetes.

• Diabetes

Diabetes raises the risk of heart disease by speeding atherosclerosis and negatively affecting cholesterol levels.

• Stress

Too much stress can increase your risk for heart disease by raising blood pressure. High stress can also lead to poor self-care, for example eating high fat foods and not exercising properly.

• Alcohol

Excessive drinking can raise your risk for heart disease by raising your blood pressure and raising certain types of harmful cholesterol levels. Alcohol in moderation, however, can help raise HDL cholesterol levels and help prevent against heart disease.

• Family History of Heart Disease

Family genetics may predispose you to increased cholesterol levels and high blood pressure. You are at an increased risk if your siblings, parents or grandparents have had early heart attacks. Unfortunately, we are unable to change our genetic make-up. However, by following a healthy lifestyle, it will help to decrease your chances of heart disease.

For more information on determining your risk for heart disease, please visit our Cardiac Health Risk Assessment.