Why do heart attacks increase with age?

Changes that happen with age may increase a person’s risk of heart disease. A major cause of heart disease is the buildup of fatty deposits in the walls of arteries over many years.

Why do people have heart attacks for no reason?

A heart attack occurs when one or more of your coronary arteries becomes blocked. Over time, a buildup of fatty deposits, including cholesterol, form substances called plaques, which can narrow the arteries (atherosclerosis). This condition, called coronary artery disease, causes most heart attacks.

What is the most common age to have a heart attack?

Heart Attack Age Statistics. Heart attacks can happen to anyone at any age. There are certain demographics that are more likely to experience cardiac arrest, though, with older people generally more at risk than younger generations. Weight, diet and fitness also play have a significant effect on how likely you are to be struck down.

Can high blood pressure cause a heart attack?

S­urprisingly, the answer is yes. For people who have risk factors for a heart attack, like high blood pressure, high cholesterol and coronary artery disease, not only why but also when a heart attack might happen is more obvious than you might think.

Why do clogged arteries cause heart attacks?

Clogged arteries, also called coronary artery disease (CAD), are the primary cause of heart attacks [source: NHLBI]. Arteries get clogged by something called plaque, a fatty substance that builds up on artery walls. Plaque often builds up when there’s too much fat and cholesterol in the diet — and too much cholesterol in the blood.

What factors increase the risk of heart attack in women?

Factors contributing to this disharmony include higher blood pressures and cholesterol levels. The average age for a woman to have a first heart attack is 70 (compared to 68 over the whole population), with the risk increasing quickly after this age. There are around 20,000 women under the age…