Smoking is the most important factor that young men and women can change.
It increases the chances of a heart attack much more in a person less than 50 years of age than in those over 50 years old. Women who smoke and use birth control pills also increase their risk of heart disease compared to women who do not smoke or use birth control pills. If you smoke, you should stop. Some people have high levels of cholesterol in their blood. These people have a higher than average chance of having heart attacks.