• Not exercising.
• Having a family history of early heart disease.
• Having a history of preeclampsia, a condition in pregnancy characterized by high blood pressure.
• Not eating a healthy diet.

Age. Typically women 55 or older, younger for men. Unfortunately there are exceptions.

Stroke

• Having a heart disease such as coronary heart disease and atrial fibrillation or having a brain condition, such as an aneurysm.
• Younger ages. More younger men than women have strokes, however, women are more likely to die from strokes.
• Women who take birth control pills are at slightly higher risk of stroke.
• Your Race. Strokes occur more often in Black, Alaska Native, and American Indian adults than in White, Hispanic, or Asian American adults.
• Personal or family history of stroke or TIA, thought of as a mini- or pre-stroke.
• Substance use, including cocaine and amphetamines.
• Stress and depression.

• Carotid artery disease: plaque lines arteries that supply blood to the brain.

A heart attack can happen when arteries become so clogged that the flow of blood to the heart is reduced or stopped; the resulting lack of oxygen damages or kills the heart muscle.

Arrhythmias

• An arrhythmia is an abnormal heart rhythm caused by a problem with the heart’s electrical system, the system that regulates the heartbeat.
• Depending on the type of arrhythmia, you can develop a heart rate that’s too slow or too fast, one that may stay out of whack or come and go. Some types are life-threatening, while others may be more bothersome than dangerous.
• The most common is atrial fibrillation (afib). Atrial fibrillation and atrial flutter can lead to the formation of blood clots in the heart. When dislodged, a blood clot can travel to the brain, block a vessel and cause a stroke. A stroke can severely deprive brain tissue of oxygen and nutrients causing brain cells to die.
• Despite its name, not everyone with afib experiences symptoms until there’s a complication. A lack of energy is the most common symptom; a fast or irregular pulse, shortness of breath and heart palpitations are some of the others. Click on the The Heart Rhythm Society’s online risk assessment to help you know if your risk of afib is high.

It May Occur: During physical activity and when you are stressed

In Women:
Angina Chest Pain May Also Include:

• Feeling out of breath
• Nausea
• Gastric discomfort
• Sharp chest pain
• Vomiting

If you or someone you know are experiencing any of the symptoms of angina, call 911 immediately.

Heart Attack

Every year about 720,000 Americans have a heart attack—two-thirds are a first heart attack, and one third are repeat heart attacks. Knowing the symptoms of a heart attack and getting immediate emergency treatment can limit or prevent heart muscle damage.

In Men:
The five most common symptoms of a heart attack are:

• Chest pressure or pain
• Shortness of breath
• Pain or discomfort in the arms or shoulder
• Pain or discomfort in the jaw, neck or back

Feeling weak, lightheaded or nauseous

In Women:
The most commonly reported symptoms are:

• Unusual fatigue
• Sleep disturbance
• Shortness of breath
• Indigestion

If you or someone you know is experiencing symptoms of a heart attack, call 911 immediately. The faster people are treated for a heart attack, the better their chances of survival and good recovery.

Stroke

A stroke is like a heart attack that happens in the brain. To help you recognize the signs of stroke,

Think F-A-S-T

F: Facial signs of a stroke include drooping, weakness or numbness on just one side of the face. You may see an uneven smile.

A: Arm weakness or numbness on just one side of the body is another sign. Often if both arms are lifted, one will drift downward.

S: Speech is slurred or hard to understand or the person is unable to speak or accurately repeat a simple sentence. There is a lack of understanding about what’s going on.

T: Time is of the essence. If you see any of the above symptoms, call 911 even if the symptoms seem to go away. The affected person needs to get to the hospital FAST.

Additional signs:

• Inability to see or walk
• Dizziness
• Loss of balance
• Sudden severe headache with no known cause
• Inability to see or walk
• Loss of balance

• Exercise. Not exercising is linked to heart disease and can also impact a variety of general health risks all of which in turn raise heart disease risk: obesity, high blood pressure, high triglyceride, low HDL cholesterol and diabetes. Getting regular physical activity can lower all of these risk factors.
• Stop smoking. Tobacco can have as serious an effect on your heart as it does on your lungs, raising the risk of both heart disease and heart attack.
• Drink less. Too much alcohol harms your heart in many ways. It raises blood pressure and triglyceride, a contributing factor in atherosclerosis.
• Reduce stress. Stress can increase your risk of a heart attack and a stroke.