The NHS site lists the following as the main factors that increase the risk of a heart attack:
- men over 45 and women over 55;
- smoking;
- being overweight or obese;
- high blood pressure;
- high blood cholesterol level;
- a diet high in saturated fats (animal fats);
- diabetes- the risk of heart attack in men with diabetes that started in adulthood is 3 times
more likely and for women is 4 times more likely than in people without diabetes;
- a family history of heart disease;
- lack of regular exercise;
- severe sudden stress causing a fast heart rate, usually in someone who already has coronary artery disease.
Such disease often shows no symptoms until a heart attack happens;
- angina;
- having had a previous heart attack, heart bypass surgery or an angioplasty.
Excessive alcohol consumption can also raise the blood pressure and triglyceride levels thus increasing the chance of a heart attack.
