Some of the major risk factors that we can't change are age, gender, and heredity.
The age risk increases greatly if you are over 65, and especially if you are a woman.
Men have heart attacks at an earlier age than women and seem to be more prone to them than women.
Obesity, diabetes, and hypertension are risk factors linked to race. Family history of heart disease is also a risk factor. "African Americans have more severe high blood pressure than Caucasians and a higher risk of heart disease. Heart disease risk is also higher among Mexican Americans, American Indians, native Hawaiians and some Asian Americans. "
In addition to the risk factors that we can't change, there are some that can be treated or changed. Among these are: smoking and second-hand smoke, high blood pressure, lack of sufficient exercise, being overweight, having diabetes, stress, and alcoholism.
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