According to the American Heart Association, over 7 million Americans have suffered a heart attack in their lifetime. Heart disease causes roughly 1.2 million heart attacks each year, but sometimes a heart attack can be brought on from other, more surprising factors.
Hypertension, high cholesterol, obesity, smoking, and stress are common risk factors for heart attacks, along with family history and old age. But did you know that even low HDL – the “good” cholesterol – can be a risk factor?
Here are 9 surprising risk factors for heart attacks that you probably haven’t thought of:
Relationship Problems – Can you die from a broken heart? A recent study at University College London found that negative relationships, especially with your significant other, can increase your risk of having a heart attack by 34%.
Low Healthy Cholesterol – A study of nearly 7,000 people at Indiana University found low HDL (the healthy cholesterol)was the third strongest predictor of coronary events, after prior heart disease and age.
Flu Diagnosis – Infections can trigger an inflammatory response, which can possibly bring on a heart attack or stroke. In fact, if you come down with the flu or another respiratory tract infection, your odds of having a heart attack are five times higher during the three days after diagnosis than it would be otherwise.
Kidney Problems – A Netherlands study found that elderly patients with weak kidneys – not even kidney disease – had a significantly higher risk for heart attack.
City Living – Numerous studies have found exposure to heavy traffic and those living close to major roads have higher risks of heart attacks and cardiopulmonary deaths.
Calcium Supplements – Those calcium supplements you’re taking to keep your bones healthy may be doing the opposite for your heart! A New Zealand study found that women who took one gram of calcium citrate for five years had twice the risk for heart attack! A second study found similar results with people who took at least 500 mg of calcium daily having a 30% higher risk of heart attack those who didn’t. Talk to your doctor about your risks if you’re taking calcium supplements.
Stopping Aspirin – If you’re at risk for heart disease and take aspirin or other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs daily, talk to your doctor before you stop taking the drugs. Many studies have shown that heart patients are at a higher risk of heart attack for one week or more after stopping aspirin therapy.
Prostate Cancer Treatment – Researchers at Harvard Medical School found an increased likelihood of sudden death from heart attack when undergoing hormone treatment for prostate cancer.
Psoriasis – Research from University of Pennsylvania discovered that in some patients, psoriasis is a risk factor comparable to diabetes. The skin condition is actually an autoimmune disorder that can cause chronic inflammation, which can actually trigger a heart attack.
