Unchangeable risk factors
Unfortunately there are risk factors that you can't change that may put you at higher risk of cardiovascular disease.
Age: 83 percent of people who die from coronary heart disease are 65 or older.
Gender: Men are at greater risk for heart disease than women and are more prone to attacks earlier in their lives.
Heredity: Children of parents with heart disease are more likely to develop it themselves. African Americans have more severe high blood pressure than Caucasians and a higher risk of heart disease. Heart disease risk is also higher among Mexican Americans, American Indians, native Hawaiians and some Asian Americans. Most people with a strong family history of heart disease have one or more other risk factors. Just as you can't control your age, sex and race, you can't control your family history.
