Heart attack: Heart-related diseases have increased rapidly in the last few years. There are many reasons for this. Let us explain the four risk factors and how to identify them.

Heart Attack Causes: The incidence of heart attacks and strokes has risen sharply in the past few years. The hectic lifestyle and changing lifestyles have contributed significantly to this increase. Heart attacks and strokes often appear to occur suddenly, but their underlying causes are often pre-existing. A recent study of over 9 million people in the US and South Korea revealed surprising results. The research found that approximately 99 percent of heart attacks and strokes were linked to just four main risk factors. Let us tell you what the research revealed.

Four major causes of heart attack and stroke

There are many causes of heart attack and stroke, but the four most common causes found in the study are:

• high blood pressure
• High cholesterol
• increased blood sugar
• Smoking (were you smoking in the past or are you smoking now)

This means that if a person has these factors, their risk of heart disease increases manifold. Even in women under 60, more than 95 percent of cases were linked to these factors.

High blood pressure is the most dangerous.

Of the four heart attack risk factors identified during the research, blood pressure proved to be the biggest risk factor. In both the US and South Korea, more than 93 percent of patients had high blood pressure before their heart attack or stroke. Experts believe that timely blood pressure control is the key to preventing serious heart disease. According to Philip Greenland, a cardiologist at Northwestern University, "This study clearly shows that if someone has one or more of these factors, serious heart problems are almost certain in the future. The real focus should be on controlling these factors."

The truth about unexplained heart attacks

It's often said that heart attacks and strokes are increasing even without any risk factors. However, researchers argue that this isn't entirely accurate. They say that previous studies often missed diagnoses or ignored low-level risk factors.

Doctors' warning

Neha Pagidipati, a cardiologist at Duke University, wrote in the editorial, "We must do better. Instead of waiting for major illnesses, it's crucial to manage risk factors early." What this research has revealed is that heart attacks and strokes don't just happen. The biggest culprits are blood pressure, cholesterol, blood sugar, and smoking. The good news is that all four factors can be controlled. A proper diet, exercise, regular checkups, and abstaining from smoking can significantly reduce the risk of heart disease.