Identifying your individual risk factors for a heart attack can ensure longevity and the ability to remain active throughout life. Individuals with a genetic tendency for heart disease should become vigilant about controlling risk factors for heart attack. Regular physical exams, cholesterol screenings, daily activity and focus on a heart healthy diet can reduce your chances of cardiovascular disease.
Heredity
Information from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) tells us that genes play a "notable" role in the development of heart disease. The combination of hereditary factors and environment increases an individual's risk for heart attack. The study of genomics (how genes influence disease risk) suggests that with proper diet and lifestyle, some risk factors for heart attack can be modified, despite heredity and genes.
Abnormal Cholesterol
An abnormal ratio of good high density lipoprotein (HDL) and bad low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol adds to the chances of having a heart attack. The size of HDL cholesterol particles is important to prevent plaque buildup in the arteries (atherosclerosis) that can lead to heart attack. Smaller size HDL and small dense LDL cholesterol particles raise the risk of coronary heart disease. High cholesterol is one of the major contributors to heart disease. Your total cholesterol should not be over 200mg/dL.
High Blood Pressure
High blood pressure (hypertension) leads to a greater risk for heart attack. Hypertension places too much force against the arteries, eventually causing them narrow and become hard. The result is a propensity for blood clots to form inside the arteries that supply blood to the heart. Narrowing of the arteries also diminishes blood flow to the heart and can result in damage from heart attack.
Inactivity
Inactivity leads to poor blood vessel health and is a risk factor for heart attack. Research published January 2010, titled "Fluid shear stress stimulates phosphorylation-dependent nuclear export of HDAC5 and mediates expression of KLF2 and eNOS" in the journal "Blood", found that force of blood flow sets off a series of events that prevents inflammation in the lining of the blood vessels that can lead to atherosclerosis. Getting your heart rate up with exercise and activity keeps blood vessels healthy by preventing white blood cells from sticking to the artery lining, something that occurs in the early stages of atherosclerosis.
Obesity
Obesity can lead to heart attack because it raises triglyceride and cholesterol levels and is associated with lack of exercise and lower HDL cholesterol levels. Obesity is also a risk factor for diabetes that further increases the risk of heart attack.
