Genetic risk factors cannot be changed:

1. Family history: You are at a higher risk of developing a heart or circulatory condition if a member(s) of your family has been diagnosed with a heart or circulatory diseases, such as a stroke or a heart attack and if your father or brother was under the age of 55 or your mother or sister was under the age of 65 when they were diagnosed.

2. Age: the risk of heart attack or stroke increases with age.

3. Gender: the risk of heart attack or stroke increases with age for both men and women

4. Ethnic origin: people with an Afro–Caribbean or Southeast Asian background have an increased risk of heart attack and stroke.

If any of these apply to you, then you need to take extra care about the risk factors you can control. It is also important that you speak to your GP and get a health check.