Several factors can contribute to your risk of heart disease. According to the American Heart Association, the three major risk factors for heart disease include increasing age, gender and heredity. People who are 65 or older, male, have a family history of heart disease or are part of a high-risk ethnic group are more prone to heart disease. These major risk factors cannot be changed, so it’s crucial to stay on top of your heart health as much as possible if you fall into one of these categories.
Modifiable risk factors also play a role in your chances of developing heart disease, although they can be treated or controlled. You are at higher risk of developing heart disease if you:
Smoke
Have high cholesterol
Have high blood pressure
Are physically inactive
Are overweight or obese
Have diabetes
Making positive lifestyle changes can help prevent or reverse some of these heart disease risk factors. Changing your diet, losing weight, exercising more, and taking other preventative measures can significantly lower your risk of heart attack, stroke and other cardiovascular diseases.