The chance of developing heart disease increases as we grow older. More men have heart attacks than women, and men have them at an earlier age, but after menopause more women die from heart attacks. People are more likely to develop heart disease if they have a family history of it. Race is also a factor. Black women have a greater risk of heart disease than white women, largely because African-Americans have a higher incidence of hypertension and diabetes.
Cigarette smoking is the biggest risk factor for heart attacks.
In fact, a smoker's risk of heart attack is more than twice that of nonsmokers. The risk of heart disease also rises as blood cholesterol levels increase. In addition, high blood pressure, physical inactivity, obesity, and diabetes increase the risk of heart attack. Pain that spreads to the shoulders, neck, jaw, arms, or back. Chest discomfort associated with lightheadedness, fainting, sweating, nausea, or shortness of breath.