Children of parents with heart disease are more likely to develop it themselves. African Americans have more severe hypertension than whites. Consequently, their risk of heart disease is greater. Cigarette and tobacco smoke. Smokers' risk of heart attack is more than twice that of nonsmokers.
Cigarette smoking is the biggest risk factor for sudden cardiac death.
High blood cholesterol levels. The risk of coronary heart disease rises as blood cholesterol levels increase. When other risk factors such as high blood pressure and cigarette smoke are present, this risk increases even more. A person's cholesterol level is also affected by age, sex, heredity and diet. High blood pressure.