Is it Possible to Have a Heart Attack Without Having Hypertension?

High blood pressure, also called hypertension, is when the blood pumps harder due to blocked arteries and causes the heart to work harder. Hypertension can lead to a heart attack or stroke, but is not the only possible cause of a heart attack.

Age

• Unavoidable heart attack risk factors include age, according to the National Heart Lung and Blood Institute (NHLBI.) Men older than 45 and women older than 55 or who are post-menopausal can have a heart attack even without high blood pressure.

Smoking

• Cigarette smoking damages the blood vessels and contributes to artery blockage, according to the Mayo Clinic. This can cause a heart attack in people who do not suffer hypertension.

High Cholesterol

• High cholesterol, which can occur from eating too many fatty foods, can cause a heart attack, according to the NHLBI.

Overweight

• Being overweight causes the body to work much harder and can lead to a heart attack, according to the NHLBI. Those who are extremely overweight, or obese, are especially at risk for a heart attack.

High Blood Sugar

• High blood sugar, with or without the disease of diabetes, can create hardening of the arteries even without present hypertension, according to the NHLBI. This increases the risk of a heart attack.