Age

As we get older, the risk of disease increases.

Coronary heart disease increases with age in both men and women. It is rare in people under 20. It becomes more common after the age of 30.

Until the age of 60, heart disease is much more common in men. However, after the age of 60 the rate of heart disease in women increases rapidly. After the age of 70, the rate in women approaches that for men.

Most heart attacks happen to men aged over 45 and women aged over 55, so your risk of having a heart attack will increase as you get older.

Although we cannot turn back the clock, eating a healthy diet and taking regular exercise may help to slow or delay further age-related changes in the arteries. A healthy lifestyle keeps you young at heart!