Heart Attack Risk Factors and Prevention

Your heart is the hardest working muscle in your body. When it’s under stress - such as during a heart attack - it can suffer lasting damage. Understanding your risk factors for heart disease and heart attack can help you make changes that protect your health for life. 

At Banner Health, our heart care team provides comprehensive prevention, diagnosis and treatment for heart conditions. We’re here to help you understand your risk and take steps toward a healthier future. 

Heart attack risk factors in men and women 

Heart attack risk increases with age, but it also differs slightly between men and women. 

• Men: Risk increases after age 45. 
• Women: Risk increases after age 55. 
• Pregnancy history: Women who have had preeclampsia, a pregnancy-related condition that causes high blood pressure, have a higher lifetime risk of heart disease. 

Major heart attack risk factors 

Some risk factors - like age or family history - can’t be changed. But most can be managed or reduced with the right care and lifestyle changes. 

Controllable risk factors 

Smoking 

Smoking damages your heart and arteries and increases your risk for coronary artery disease, heart attack and sudden cardiac death. Even secondhand smoke raises your risk. 

High blood pressure 

High blood pressure (hypertension) can damage arteries and strain the heart. When combined with obesity, high cholesterol or diabetes, it greatly increases risk. 

High cholesterol or triglycerides 

High levels of LDL (“bad”) cholesterol or triglycerides can cause fatty buildup in arteries, restricting blood flow and raising heart attack risk. 

Diabetes 

Diabetes significantly increases your risk for heart disease - even when blood sugar is controlled. The risk is higher if glucose levels are frequently elevated. 

Obesity 

Carrying excess weight - especially around the midsection - raises your risk of heart disease and stroke. Losing even a small percentage of body weight can help lower blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar. 

Metabolic syndrome 

This condition combines obesity, high blood pressure and high blood sugar. Together, these factors double your risk of developing heart disease. 

Lack of physical activity 

An inactive lifestyle contributes to high blood pressure, poor circulation and excess weight. Regular exercise improves heart strength, reduces stress and lowers overall risk. 

Other contributing factors 

Illicit drug use 

Stimulants such as cocaine and amphetamines can trigger coronary artery spasms that may cause a heart attack. 

Stress 

Chronic stress can lead to unhealthy coping habits, such as smoking or overeating, that increase heart disease risk. 

Autoimmune conditions 

Diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and lupus can cause chronic inflammation that damages blood vessels. 

Diet and nutrition 

A diet high in processed foods, salt and saturated fats raises cholesterol and blood pressure. A heart-healthy diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins and healthy fats can help reduce risk. 

Alcohol 

Drinking too much alcohol can raise blood pressure, increase cholesterol and lead to irregular heart rhythms. 

How to prevent a heart attack 

It’s never too early - or too late - to make changes that improve heart health. Preventing a heart attack starts with small, consistent lifestyle choices: 

• Eat a balanced, heart-healthy diet 
• Exercise regularly (most days of the week) 
• Don’t smoke or use tobacco 
• Manage stress through healthy outlets such as meditation, deep breathing or counseling 
• Monitor your blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar regularly 

If you’ve already had a heart attack, talk with your doctor about medications - such as low-dose aspirin - that may help lower your risk for another event. 

Your partner in heart health 

Heart attack prevention starts with awareness. The experts at Banner Health’s heart and vascular centers can assess your individual risk factors, help you create a prevention plan and support your long-term heart health. 

Find a heart specialist near you.