Cardiac death 1 in 8 for U.S. Men
According to an article in the Wall Street Journal recent research has shown that men age 40 in the U.S. have a one in eight chance of suffering sudden cardiac death over the remainder of their lives. For women the risk is 1 in 24. 300,000 Americans a year suffer sudden cardiac death. Heart attack is the most common cause but vale disease, infections, and heart-beat irregularities can also be the cause.

Prevention
These deaths are largely preventable, noted authority Dr. Lloyd-Jones. Healthy eating, not smoking, exercising regularly and taking appropriate medication as prescribed by a Cardiologist would result in a substantial reduction in heart attacks. Recognizing the early warning signs can also reduce risk.  

Risk factors to avoid;

1. Lower your cholesterol with proper diet, exercise and medication if necessary
2. Avoid abnormal obesity with proper diet and exercise
3. Avoid depression
4. Avoid excess stress
5. Quit smoking
6. Bring your blood pressure down
7. Avoid diabetes and if you have it make sure to treat it under doctor's orders

If you can change your lifestyle to avoid these risk factors you should certainly be less likely to have a heart attack. In many cases the advice of a physician or specialist will be helpful or necessary to assist you.

Healthy Heart Tips from the American Heart Association    

• Alcohol use in moderation. (One to two drinks a day for men, one drink for women).
• 30 minutes of exercise 5 days a week.
• Keep blood pressure below 140/90.
• Keep LDL cholesterol below 100 for patients at high risk of heart attack.
• Keep LDL cholesterol below 70 for patients considered at especially high risk of heart attack.

For more information check out the
American Heart Association www.americanheart.org/ 
and the Association's patient portal www.hearthub.org/

If you can change your lifestyle to avoid these risk factors you should certainly be less likely to have a heart attack. In many cases the advice of a physician or specialist will be helpful or necessary to assist you.