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• High blood pressure.
• High cholesterol. 
• Smoking or tobacco use.

And while heart disease can happen at any age, the risk does go up as you age. Also, some racial and ethnic groups are more likely to have conditions that increase their risk factors for heart disease. According to the CDC, heart disease is the leading cause of death for people of most racial and ethnic groups including African Americans, American Indians and Alaska Natives and white people. For Asian Americans, Pacific Islanders and Hispanics, heart disease is second only to cancer. 

Preventing heart disease

Did you know that you can prevent heart disease? Keeping your  blood pressure,  cholesterol and  blood sugar levels normal reduces your risk for  heart disease and  heart attack. Do this by living a healthy lifestyle, committing to choosing healthy habits, and taking charge of existing medical conditions that put you at higher risk.

When to see a cardiologist

If you have any of the following, please consult your primary health care provider or a cardiologist: 

• Chest pain is the hallmark sign of a heart problem. It can also be a sign of a heart attack, which is a life-threatening emergency. Call 911 if you think you are having a heart attack. Remember that signs can be  different for men and women. 
• High blood pressure, especially chronically elevated blood pressure, causes the heart to work harder to circulate blood and increases your risk of heart attack and stroke. 
• Shortness of breath, palpitations (a noticeably rapid, strong or irregular heartbeat) or dizziness. 
• Diabetes. There is a strong correlation between cardiovascular disease and diabetes. 
• Smoking is one of the major preventable risk factors for heart disease. 
• High cholesterol can contribute to plaque in your arteries. Plaque buildup leads to clogged arteries which can cause heart attack, stroke and even death. 
• Chronic kidney disease. If your kidneys don’t function your risk for heart disease increases. 
• A family history of heart disease. 
• You have  peripheral arterial disease (PAD). 
• You’re inactive and planning to start an exercise routine. According to the CDC, it is recommended adults exercise 150 minutes a week in a moderate-intensity aerobic activity and do muscle-strengthening activities at least two days a week. Please talk to your health care provider if you haven’t been physically active in a while.