Breaking Heart Attack Stereotypes

When you think of a typical heart attack patient, there’s a good chance the person who comes to mind is an older man in his 50s or 60s, clutching his chest in sudden pain. That doesn’t always align with reality, however.

Which of these people do you think is most at risk for a heart attack?

SCENARIO #1: A 65-year-old woman with a family history of heart disease is overweight but gets a moderate amount of exercise and tries to follow a healthy diet. She is aware that her weight and family history put her at higher risk, but her cholesterol and blood pressure are good, and she keeps in close contact with her doctor.

SCENARIO #2: A 40-year-old man maintains a healthy weight by vigorously exercising every day but consumes a high-fat diet. He has a family history of heart disease and smoked until age 30. He rarely visits the doctor, only going when he is actively ill or injured.

SCENARIO #3: A 55-year-old woman has no family history of heart disease and works in a high-stress job. She exercises sporadically and has a family history of diabetes. She doesn’t have a primary care doctor, though she does her best to maintain a healthy diet.

While all three individuals are susceptible to some heart attack risk, the woman in the first scenario is less likely to have a heart attack than the other individuals. Her relationship with her doctor allows her to monitor her risk factors and take appropriate and timely action to keep her health in check. The man who consumes food that raises his heart attack risk, and has been a smoker in the past, is at high risk. The woman with the high-stress job is unaware of her risk level because she doesn’t see a primary care doctor.

Educating yourself about your heart disease risk and maintaining a close relationship with your healthcare team help manage the risk you live with every day. Don’t take a chance — heart attacks don’t follow a script.

You know ways to reduce cardiovascular disease and heart attack risks are maintaining a healthy diet, not smoking and exercising regularly. Now, it’s time to tackle the rest, including:

• Limiting the amount of alcohol you consume to two drinks a day for men or one for women can cut your risk of cardiovascular disease.
• Avoiding stress. Stress not only increases the amount of the hormone cortisol your body produces, which can contribute to blockages in the arteries, it can also encourage you to eat more unhealthy foods or sleep less than usual.
• Stay up-to-date on the latest recommendations for heart health. New developments are made every day!

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