Heart Attack Risk Assessment View Calculator Heart disease occurs when the arteries that supply blood to the heart become narrower - the result is often a heart attack. Heart disease is the leading cause of death for both men and women in the U.S. Some risk factors are beyond your control, but most can be modified or controlled, through behavior or medications, to help lower your risk of a heart attack (even repeat heart attacks). These risk factors multiply each other's effects, so it is very important to prevent or control all controllable risk factors. If you still need more incentive to control the risk factors, high cholesterol and smoking can predict two-thirds of all heart attack victims. Take this quick assessment to learn the risk factors for a heart attack and help you determine if you should make some lifestyle changes to reduce your own heart attack risk. Learn more about putting this calculator or other calculators on your website.