In addition to making healthy lifestyle changes, receiving regular medical care and taking all medication as prescribed, patients are encouraged to become familiar with their family's health histories. Although genetic factors such as disease history, ethnicity and gender cannot be changed, knowing them can help in measuring risk and creating an appropriate plan for making lifestyle changes.

Finally, any marked changes in symptoms, such as having more attacks or having more painful attacks, may be a sign of worsening health and increased risk of heart attack. These changes should be brought to the attention of a physician as soon as possible.