African Americans have more severe hypertension than whites. Consequently, their risk of heart disease is greater. You can change, treat or modify most risk factors to lower your risk, by focusing on your lifestyle habits or, if needed, taking medicine. 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.
Smokers have two to four times the risk of nonsmokers.
High blood cholesterol levels - The risk of coronary heart disease rises as blood cholesterol levels increase. A person's cholesterol level is also affected by age, sex, heredity and diet. High blood pressure - High blood pressure increases the heart's workload, causing the heart to enlarge and weaken over time. It also increases the risk of stroke, heart attack, kidney failure and congestive heart failure. When high blood pressure exists with obesity, smoking, high blood cholesterol levels or diabetes, the risk of heart attack or stroke increases several times.