Heart attacks are one of the leading causes of death worldwide. It occurs when blood flow to the heart is either reduced or blocked. Many factors can lead to this blockage, including cholesterol-containing deposits called plaques. Some people may even be at a greater risk of heart attack if they have pre-existing conditions like high blood pressure or hypertension. This is because high blood pressure can damage the arteries, reducing their elasticity and decreasing the flow of blood and oxygen to your heart.
But what if you don't have any of these risk factors? Can you still be at risk of developing a heart attack? An expert says we can.
A Family History Of Heart Attack May Increase Your Risk
According to Dr Salil Shirodkar, Senior Consultant - Cardiologist, Nanavati Max Super Speciality Hospital, Mumbai, a family history of heart attack can raise your risk of having a heart attack yourself, even if you don't have other traditional risk factors like high cholesterol or hypertension.
Having a family history of heart attacks means that one or more close relatives, either parents, siblings, or children, have experienced a heart attack.
This increases your own risk of developing heart disease later in life because family history can indicate a genetic predisposition to heart disease, explains Dr Shirodkar.
However, it's important to note that it is not a guaranteed risk factor.
You can significantly lower your chances of a heart attack by adopting a healthy lifestyle.
How To Reduce Your Risk?
There are several measures a person can take to reduce their risk of a heart attack, says Dr Shirodkar. This includes:
- Eating a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats (such as those found in olive oil and fish).
- Limiting the intake of saturated fats, trans fats, and cholesterol.
- Aim for regular moderate-intensity aerobic exercise per week or brisk walking.
- Aiming to maintain a healthy body weight through a balanced diet and regular exercise.
- Monitoring your blood pressure regularly and taking steps to keep it within a healthy range.
- Keeping your cholesterol levels in check through diet, exercise, and, if needed, medication.
- Managing chronic stress by practising stress-reducing techniques such as meditation, yoga, or deep breathing exercises.
- Quitting smoking
- Limiting alcohol
- Getting regular check-ups
Also Read: Is Your Heart In Good Shape? 5 Important Tests That Can Tell You
Bottomline
According to Dr Shirodkar, even without traditional risk factors, maintaining a healthy lifestyle and getting regular check-ups can help mitigate the increased risk posed by a family history of heart attacks.
“It's important to discuss your family history and individual risk factors with your healthcare provider for personalised advice,” he advises.