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Actually, they’re just what you’d expect: high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes and smoking. It’s as simple as that.

While conventional wisdom often claims that only 50% of patients with coronary disease display one of these characteristics, the facts say otherwise. According to a pair of studies published in the Journal of the American, Medical Association, one of these four factors was present in 87-100% of heart attack victims. The studies analyzed the contents of several large databases, examining thousands of patients. Nearly all of them smoked, had diabetes, or suffered from high cholesterol or blood pressure – and all of them died.

While “newer” risk factors often capture public attention (C-reactive protein level, lipoprotein[a], homocysteine and fibrinogen, for example), the basic facts about heart disease remain simple. Healthy living, responsible eating habits and good exercise still do more to lower your chances of coronary artery disease than almost anything else. Stay healthy – you’ll reduce your risk of heart disease drastically. (1)

If you are at a higher risk for heart disease, it’s a good idea to take out a pre-critical illness insurance policy. A heart attack can have devastating financial aftereffects, and a critical illness insurance policy helps protect you by delivering a lump sum benefit when you have a heart attack. Read more, compare policies and get a free quote below.

(1) Heart Health Center. August 2003. About.com. July 16 2012.

http://heartdisease.about.com/library/weekly/aa082303a.htm