What Increases Your Risk?

Anyone with risk factors for heart disease can develop coronary artery disease. But it's more likely as you get older and if you:

• Have high blood pressure, high cholesterol or diabetes
• Smoke
• Are overweight or obese
• Don't lead a very active lifestyle
• Eat a high-fat, poor diet
• Have a family history of early heart disease (genetics), meaning if your mother, or a sister or daughter has heart disease before the age of 65; or if your father, or a brother or son has heart disease before the age of 55

Although you can't change your genetic risk for heart disease, there are risk factors that you can change to help protect yourself. Learn more about healthy habits such as eating better, moving more, maintaining a healthy weight, and not smoking.