There is a direct link between high blood pressure and increased risk of heart disease. Diabeties and those with a family history of diabetes have increased risk for heart disease. Your doctor can diagnose diabetes and prescribe a program to help you control your diet and weight, if necessary. An exercise program and medication may also be prescribed to help control diabetes. There are numerous risk factors for heart disease that are beyond our control, such as heredity.
Some families have a predisposition toward heart disease.
If heart disease runs in your family, it's even more important for you to reduce controllable risks such as high blood pressure and high cholesterol. Race is also a factor. For example, African Americans are statistically more likely to have hypertension than Caucasians. Smoking greatly increases your risk of heart disease and death from heart attack. If you, or someone you are with, experiences the sudden onset of any of these symptoms, call 911 immediately.