Know The Risk Factors Of Heart Attack

When arteries which supply oxygen-rich blood to the heart (coronary arteries) get blocked, a heart attack occurs. Substances such as cholesterol when builds up in the arteries, they become narrower. This build up or plaque occurs throughout the body and the condition is known as atherosclerosis which leads to coronary artery disease. Thus, heart attacks occur due to coronary artery disease (CHD).

Heart attack is unavoidable with a few lifestyle changes and healthy habits. Understanding the risk factors of heart attack is the main step towards prevention.

Risk factors of heart attack:

• Cholesterol is the main culprit in forming blocked arteries, so avoiding foods which increase your cholesterol levels, especially bad or unhealthy cholesterol is of utmost importance. Instead of high saturated foods or junk foods you can try omega- 3 rich oily fish or flax seeds which will help reduce bad cholesterol.
• High blood pressure can weaken the coronary arteries and increases the risk of CHD which may lead to increased risk of heart attack.
• You would have heard many times that smoking is injurious to health and CHD is the best example for the proof. Toxins in cigarettes narrow the arteries and make the smokers more susceptible to CHD. Smoking even a single cigarette puts you at the 30% more risk than non-smokers.
• Though the excess weight or obesity is not direct cause of heart attack, it increases the risk of other heart attack causing factors such as high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, and increased cholesterol levels. So, try to reduce your weight with diet and exercise till it falls in a healthy range.
• Lack of physical activity leads to overweight, inefficient oxygen flow in the blood, and risk of CHD.
• If you have family history of heart disease, there is possibility that this disease will also occur in you.
• Heart attack is also common in older age people and men (than women).

Understanding these risk factors suggests that adapting healthy lifestyle is the best prevention against heart attack.