Smoking and obesity are the main risk factors of first heart attack (specifically a STEMI: ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction) in younger people, and especially women. An analysis of French registries for 15 years has found that STEMI in women younger than 60 jumped from 11.8% to 25.5%. During this same time period, the rate of smoking increased from 32% to 41% and the obesity prevalence climbed from 14.3% to 20%.
PositiveTip: Avoid (or stop) smoking and keep those excess pounds off to reduce the risk of heart attacks.