The identification of factors that increase the risk of heart attack has been made possible by various population studies including the well-known Framingham Study. Its statistical correlation has been consistent enough to enable researchers to state with confidence that high blood cholesterol, high blood pressure (hypertension), and cigarette smoking are major risk factors and, if present, increase your probability of having a fatal or nonfatal heart attack or stroke. These risk factors can be subdivided into three groups.
Group I: Uncontrollable Risk Factors
1. Heredity: A strong family history of heart attack especially before age 55 increases the risk.
2. Age: Risk increases with age.
3. Sex: Everyone recognizes that heart attacks are about 10 times more common in men than in women in the
35–50 age group. After menopause and beyond age 70 women catch up.
Group II: Controllable Risk Factors
1. High blood cholesterol, LDL cholesterol
2. Hypertension
3. Cigarette smoking
4. Stress
Group III: Other Factors of Importance
1. Diabetes (see the chapter Diabetes)
2. Sedentary lifestyle, lack of exercise
3. Strenuous unaccustomed exertion
4. Obesity
5. Type A personality
6. Two or three fruits and vegetables daily

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