About Heart Disease
Know your risk factors for heart disease so you can prevent it.
What is heart disease?
The term “heart disease” refers to a wide range of heart conditions. The most common type of heart disease in the United States is coronary artery disease (CAD), which affects the flow of blood to the heart. Decreased blood flow can cause heart disease.
What are the symptoms of heart disease?
Sometimes heart disease can be "silent" and not diagnosed until a person sees signs or symptoms of a heart attack, heart failure, or arrhythmia. When these events occur, symptoms may include1
Heart attack: Chest pain or discomfort, upper or neck pain, constipation, heartburn, nausea or vomiting, extreme fatigue, excessive body fat, dizziness, and shortness of breath.
Arrhythmia: Palpitations.
Heart failure: Shortness of breath, fatigue, or swelling of the feet, ankles, legs, stomach, or arteries.
Learn the Facts About Heart Disease
About 659,000 people in the United States die of heart disease each year — that is 1 in 4.1,2.
What are the risk factors for heart disease?
High blood pressure, high blood cholesterol, and smoking are important risk factors for heart disease. About half the population in the United States (47%) has at least one of these three risk factors.2 Several other medical conditions and lifestyle choices can also put people at greater risk for heart disease, including
Diabetes
Obesity and obesity
Unhealthy food
Physical inactivity
Excessive alcohol consumption
Learn more about heart disease, coronary heart disease, and related conditions:
What is heart rejuvenation?
Rehabilitation (Rehab) is an important program for anyone who is prone to heart attack, heart failure, or other types of heart surgery. Cardiac resuscitation is an integrated monitoring program
Physical activity
Health education, which includes healthy eating, medication as prescribed, and ways to help you quit smoking
Counseling to find ways to relieve stress and improve mental health
A team of people can help you with heart rehabilitation, which includes your health care team, exercise and diet specialists, physical therapists, and counselors or mental health professionals.