Can healthy people have a heart attack? Many people think they’re safe from the dangers of heart disease and having a heart attack because they either eat a healthy diet, exercise, are not overweight, or all three. However, heart health is a bit more complicated than that, and seemingly healthy people are still susceptible to having a heart attack.
Key Takeaways
- Risk factors for heart disease and heart attacks include controllable and uncontrollable factors.
- Warning signs in outwardly healthy individuals may be more subtle but should never be ignored.
- Prevention strategies include regular checkups and an awareness of your family medical history.
Can Healthy People Have a Heart Attack?
It’s easy to assume that people who prioritize physical fitness and eat right don’t have to worry about having a heart attack or battling heart disease. However, the reality is that your heart’s health is affected by a combination of factors, many of which aren’t externally visible.
What are the risk factors beyond lifestyle choices?
Some heart disease risk factors are beyond one’s control. For instance, you can’t control who your parents, grandparents, aunts, and uncles are. In other words, genetics and family history play a vital, unseen role. Even with other external indicators of good health, a family history of early cardiovascular disease can increase your risk. Additionally, the older you get, the more your risk of heart attack increases, starting as early as 40 for some people.
We know that heart disease is the leading killer of American adults, but men face a higher risk earlier in life, whereas women aren’t equally at risk until after menopause.
Furthermore, those with inflammatory diseases such as psoriasis and rheumatoid arthritis also have a higher risk of heart attack due to the manner in which inflammation can damage blood vessels and increase plaque buildup in the arteries.
What are the controllable risk factors?
The risk factors mentioned above have more to do with elements that are out of our control. But there are controllable risk factors that also contribute to healthy people having a heart attack that no one saw coming.
High cholesterol and hypertension are two of them. It’s generally recommended that adults over the age of 20 get their blood cholesterol levels checked every 4–6 years to determine cardiovascular risk. This involves a blood test for total cholesterol, “bad” cholesterol (LDL), “good” cholesterol (HDL), and triglycerides.
Physically fit people can also have consistently high blood pressure, also known as hypertension, that puts them at higher risk for heart attack. This can be due to another controllable factor: stress. Prioritizing stress reduction, and thereby, blood pressure and cholesterol, can significantly reduce one’s risk of having a heart attack.
Are There Warning Signs?
When a young, seemingly fit person has a heart attack, people are usually surprised and even sometimes say it came out of nowhere. However, there are typically some, albeit subtle, warning signs. Understanding the early signs is one of the most critical aspects of preventing severe heart events.
Common Warning Signs
- Subtle signs in women: heart attack warning signs present differently in women than in men. Women may experience extreme fatigue, shortness of breath, or mild chest discomfort rather than sharp pain.
- Any pressure, tightness, or pain in the chest should always be taken seriously.
- Pay attention to pain above the waist, like discomfort in the jaw, neck, shoulders, and back, as these can all indicate trouble.
- Feeling faint during exercise or other rigorous physical activities could be a signal of an underlying issue.
- Sudden, unexplained difficulty breathing is also a common red flag.
Early intervention saves lives! If you notice any of these symptoms in yourself or someone else, seek medical attention. Always call 911 immediately if someone is experiencing a heart attack.
What Are Some Prevention Methods?
We mentioned some uncontrollable risk factors that may put a healthy person at risk for heart attack, but by taking proactive steps, you can significantly reduce your risk of heart disease and, ultimately, heart attack.
- Schedule regular checkups: Routine screenings are meant to identify issues like high blood pressure or cholesterol before they reach deadly levels.
- Monitor Lifestyle Habits: If you smoke or vape, take steps to permanently quit. Do your best to maintain a heart-healthy diet that includes a lot of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. And, of course, engage in regular exercise, but talk with your doctor before you start any intense regimens.
- Manage stress: As we mentioned, stress is a major cause of hypertension. Try incorporating mindfulness or relaxation techniques throughout your day to reduce or control stress levels.
- Know your family history: A family history of heart disease is not to be taken lightly. Discuss additional preventive measures with your primary care physician if you have or had relatives who struggled with heart disease.
Take Charge of Your Health at RMC
No one is immune to heart disease. It can silently wreak havoc on individuals who appear fit as a fiddle on the outside. By understanding your risk factors, recognizing warning signs, and committing to regular health screenings, you can increase your chances of living a heart-attack-free life.
If you’re concerned about your cardiovascular risk or simply want to take preventative measures, contact us! Our Heart and Vascular Program was created to give patients access to a system of medical services to maintain and improve their heart and vascular health. Schedule an appointment with our Cardiac Team to receive the heart and vascular care you need today!
For two days in February, we also offer affordable heart screenings through the RMC Foundation. Call 844-RMC-APPT to schedule your appointment.