What Increases Risk of Heart Attack?

A lack of physical activity (sedentary lifestyle) is linked to a higher risk of heart attacks. Regular exercise improves heart health—unhealthy diet. A diet high in sugars, animal fats, processed foods, trans fats, and salt increases the risk of heart attacks. Stress. Emotional stress, such as extreme anger, may increase the risk of a heart attack.

Eating lots of foods high in saturated fat and trans fat may contribute to heart disease. Eating foods high in fiber and low in saturated fats, trans fat, and cholesterol can help prevent high cholesterol. Limiting salt (sodium) in your diet can also lower your blood pressure

Berries. Berries include blueberries, strawberries, cranberries, raspberries, and blackberries. These fruits are associated with an impressive amount of health benefits, including their ability to reduce inflammation and improve heart health. Berries are packed with fiber, vitamins, minerals, and plant compounds.

We recommend sleeping on the right side since it may be the key to a healthier heart. Studies suggest it reduces pressure on the heart and stabilizes your blood pressure and heart rate.

Your risk for heart disease increases with age, especially with people of color and those who are over 65. While the average age for a heart attack is 64.5 for men, and 70.3 for women, nearly 20 percent of those who die of heart disease are under the age of 65.

The Nation’s Risk Factors and CDC’s Response. Leading risk factors for heart disease and stroke are high blood pressure, high low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, diabetes, smoking, secondhand smoke exposure, obesity, unhealthy diet, and physical inactivity.

Coronary heart disease (CHD) is the leading cause of heart attacks. CHD is a condition in which the coronary arteries (the major blood vessels that supply the heart with blood) become clogged with deposits of cholesterol. These deposits are called plaques.

An electrocardiogram (ECG) is a test that records the electrical activity of the heart. The ECG reflects what’s happening in different areas of the heart and helps identify any problems with the rhythm or rate of your heart. The ECG is painless and takes around 5-10 minutes to perform.

Men age 45 and older and women age 55 and older are more likely to have a heart attack than are younger men and women. Tobacco use. This includes smoking and long-term exposure to secondhand smoke. If you smoke, quit.

People who have a silent heart attack have symptoms not normally associated with a heart attack, mild signs, or no symptoms at all. They may not realize they’ve had a heart attack. With a silent heart attack, symptoms can make you feel like: You have the flu.

Heart attack signs and symptoms in men and women: Chest pain or discomfort; Shortness of breath; Pain or discomfort in the jaw, neck, back, arm, or shoulder; Feeling nauseous, light-headed, or unusually tired.

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