From Risk to Prevention: Your Guide to Heart Attack Awareness

Charles Bloom, DO, FACOEP
HAP Senior Vice President, Chief Medical Officer

It’s easy to think of a heart attack as something that happens to other people until it happens to someone you love or to you. Heart disease is the leading cause of death for both men and women in the United States, yet many people don’t realize just how common or preventable it is.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 800,000 Americans have a heart attack each year. That’s about one every 40 seconds. Despite the risks, there is still wide-spread misinformation about them., heart attacks are often misunderstood. For instance, not all heart attacks look the same, some are sudden and intense while others are silent and go unnoticed. Knowing the warning signs, understanding your risk and taking steps to protect your heart could save your life or someone else’s.

Understanding heart attacks

A heart attack, or myocardial infarction, occurs when blood flow to part of the heart is blocked, depriving the heart muscle of oxygen and nutrients. It’s often caused by plaque buildup, a mix of cholesterol, fat and other substances inside the coronary arteries. If the plaque ruptures, it can form a clot that blocks blood flow, leading to permanent damage to the heart muscle.

While the classic image of a heart attack involves crushing chest pain and shortness of breath, up to 20 percent of heart attacks are silent. These may cause only mild discomfort, fatigue or indigestion-like symptoms and can easily go unnoticed even with milder symptoms, the damage they cause can be just as serious.

Risk factors you can and cannot control

Heart attack risk increases with age, family history and genetics. Men tend to experience more obvious symptoms, while women are more likely to suffer silent heart attacks. Certain populations, including African Americans, Hispanic Americans and Native Americans, face a higher overall risk.

Fortunately, many other risk factors are within your control:

Smoking: Nicotine and other chemicals in tobacco accelerate heart damage and raise blood pressure.

High cholesterol and high blood pressure: Both can damage artery walls and restrict blood flow.

*To help with blood pressure, HAP launched partnership with Hello Heart in 2025. The Hello Heart platform empowers Medicare members to track, manage, and improve cardiovascular health with innovative technology and resources. ‍A study in the Journal of the American Heart Association found that Hello Heart members saw consistent improvements in blood pressure regardless of age, income, gender, race, or geography.

Diabetes: About 70 percent of people over age 65 with diabetes die from heart disease.

Obesity and inactivity: Excess weight, especially around the waist, increases strain on the heart.

Poor diet, excessive alcohol and stress: Each contributes to the development of atherosclerosis, the narrowing of arteries that can lead to a heart attack.

Recognizing the silent signs

Not everyone experiences dramatic symptoms. Women, people with diabetes and older adults often report subtler signs such as:

• Mild or intermittent chest discomfort
• Jaw, neck or back pain
• Fatigue or weakness
• Nausea or indigestion
• Shortness of breath

If you experience these symptoms, especially if they’re new, persistent or unexplained, it’s essential to seek medical attention right away.

Prevention: small steps, big impact

The best way to avoid a heart attack is to manage your risk factors proactively. Work with your healthcare provider to:

• Maintain a balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, lean proteins and whole grains
• Exercise regularly: aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate activity per week
• Monitor blood pressure and cholesterol levels routinely
• Quit smoking and limit alcohol intake
• Manage stress through mindfulness, hobbies or counseling
• Take prescribed medications as directed

The overlooked factor: sleep

Sleep is a vital part of heart health. Getting fewer than seven hours per night can raise blood pressure, increase inflammation and worsen insulin resistance, all of which increase heart attack risk. Chronic sleep deprivation also can lead to weight gain and can shorten lifespan.

Final thoughts

Heart disease is largely preventable with healthy habits, awareness and lifestyle changes. Don’t let fear delay action. Early detection and consistent care can dramatically reduce your risk of a heart attack. Whether through better nutrition, regular exercise or simply getting enough rest, every healthy choice you make strengthens your heart for the long run.

HAP offers many ways to support your heart healthy goals with our health and wellness programs. We help members reduce their risks with resources for quitting smoking, managing diabetes and even maintaining a healthy weight. Take charge of your health today. Talk to your doctor or use our Find a Doctor tool to connect with the right provider for you.