As we age, our chances of developing heart disease increase, for heart disease tends to develop gradually over the course of one's life. In fact, almost 85% of people who die from heart attacks are aged 65 or older. Another risk factor that cannot be changed is gender. Young men have a greater risk of heart disease than young women. Obviously, you have no say in choosing your biological parents. By the luck of birth, some people are born into families where heart disease is quite prevalent. In cases such as this, children are said to have a genetic predisposition to develop heart disease as they grow. Race is also a risk factor that cannot be controlled. (Adapted from Payne and Hahn, Understanding Your Health)