Wow! That’s a harsh opener. But, for those with the right (or wrong) risk factors…you are setting yourself up to have “The Big One”.
Acording to a study of 52 countries (Interheart), nine easily measured and potentially modifiable risk factors account for over 90% of the risk of an initial acute heart attack. The effect of these risk factors is consistent in men and women across different geographic regions and by ethnic group, making the study applicable worldwide. The risk factors are:
- Cigarette smoking
- Abnormal blood lipid levels
- Hypertension
- Diabetes
- Abdominal obesity
- Lack of physical activity
- Low daily fruit and vegetable consumption
- Alcohol overconsumption
- Psychosocial index
Lancet, 2004;364:937-952
Basically, what this study tells us is that the more risk factors that you have from the list above, the greater your chances are of having a heart attack.
So, how many risk factors do you have?
SQ