Breaking Heart Attack Stereotypes

When you think of a typical heart attack patient, there’s a good chance the person who comes to mind looks something like this: 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 numbers 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 also consumes a high-fat diet. He has a family history of heart disease and smoked in his youth, though he quit at 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 have some level of heart attack risk, the woman in scenario 1 is at less risk of having a heart attack than the individuals in scenarios 2 and 3. 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 in scenario 2 consumes food that raises his heart attack risk, along with having been a smoker in the past, and the woman in scenario 3 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 primary care doctor are important parts of managing the risk you live with every day. Don’t take a chance — heart attacks don’t follow a script.

You know the obvious ways to keep your risk of cardiovascular disease and heart attack low — maintain a healthy diet, don’t smoke and exercise regularly. Now it’s time to tackle the rest.

• Limit alcohol — 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.
• Avoid 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.
• Keep learning — Stay up-to-date on the latest recommendations for heart health. New developments are being made every day!

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