What biometric is most concerning for increasing a woman's risk of a heart attack?

Cholesterol levels are particularly significant when assessing a woman's risk of a heart attack because they directly influence cardiovascular health. Elevated levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol can lead to the buildup of plaques in the arteries, increasing the chance of atherosclerosis, which ultimately raises the risk of heart attacks and other cardiovascular events.

While other factors, such as blood pressure and waist-to-hip ratio, are important biomarkers related to heart health, cholesterol levels have a well-established, direct connection to heart disease. Women, in particular, can be affected by variations in cholesterol levels due to hormonal changes, especially during menopause, making this a crucial area of concern in preventative healthcare.

Physical activity level can also play a role in heart health, but it is more of a lifestyle factor than a direct biometric indicator. The direct impact of cholesterol levels on the physiological processes leading to heart attacks makes this option the most concerning.