Heart Attack Statistics & Risks
See the facts and take action.
Taking proactive steps today to live a healthier lifestyle can reduce the risk of another heart attack tomorrow. The more you understand what can put you at risk, the better you can work to manage those risks and prevent a future heart attack.
335,000
SURVIVORS
Every year 335,000 survivors have a repeat heart attack.
Cardiac rehab was found to help reduce the chances of a repeat heart attack by 47%.
47%
REDUCED WITH CARDIAC REHAB
About 1 out of 4 heart attacks is believed to be directly related to smoking.
EVERY MINUTES
Every 2.6 minutes, a survivor has another heart attack.
Sticking to a treatment plan is crucial for every survivor's recovery. If you've had a heart attack, have a thorough conversation with your doctor to create a plan for your treatment.
Demographics
When it comes to heart attacks, there are certain factors that you can’t always control like your families medical history, race, age, gender, and ethnic heritage. Factors like these play a huge role in determining your risk of a heart attack. These facts may better help you understand your relationship with heart attack risk.
African Americans are susceptible to genetic differences that can cause higher blood pressure compared to Caucasian Americans, which may put them at a higher risk of a heart attack.
Men are at a greater risk of a heart attack than women are, and have heart attacks earlier in life.
Mexican Americans, native Hawaiians, and some Asian-Americans have higher rates of diabetes and high blood pressure which may put them at a higher risk of a heart attack.
Average age of first heart attack is 64.7 for men and 72.2 years from women.
Heart Attack Symptoms in Men vs Women
Chest pain is the most common symptom of a heart attack for both men and women. However, women may experience less obvious warning signs than men that leave them vulnerable. Learn the differences in signs so you know what to look for.