Heart disease claims a life every 33 seconds in the United States. It's the leading cause of death for men and women — yet up to 80% of cases are preventable.
Know Your Risk ↓Heart disease is an umbrella term for several conditions affecting the heart's structure and function. The most common form — coronary artery disease — occurs when plaque builds up in the arteries that supply blood to the heart muscle.
This buildup (atherosclerosis) narrows arteries, reducing blood flow. When a plaque ruptures, a blood clot forms — blocking blood flow entirely and causing a heart attack.
Plaque narrows the arteries supplying the heart. Most common form. Leads to angina and heart attacks.
The heart can no longer pump blood effectively. Not a "stopped" heart — a heart working too hard with declining efficiency.
Irregular heart rhythms — too fast, too slow, or erratic. Atrial fibrillation (AFib) is the most common, raising stroke risk 5x.
Damaged or diseased heart valves disrupt blood flow. Can be congenital or develop from infection, age, or rheumatic disease.
Heart disease risk comes from a combination of factors — some you can't control, many you can. Understanding both is essential.
Tightness, squeezing, pressure, or pain in the center or left side of the chest lasting more than a few minutes, or coming and going.
Discomfort radiating to the left arm, shoulder, neck, jaw, back, or stomach. Often described as an aching or heaviness rather than sharp pain.
Difficulty breathing, with or without chest pain. Can occur at rest or with minimal activity. May precede other symptoms by weeks.
Sudden cold sweat, lightheadedness, nausea, or vomiting — especially with other symptoms — requires immediate emergency care.
Extreme tiredness, especially in women, for days or weeks before a heart attack. Sometimes the only warning sign present.
Sudden collapse, no pulse, no breathing — different from a heart attack. Requires immediate CPR and defibrillation. Call 911 at once.
The American Heart Association estimates that 80% of cardiovascular disease cases — including heart disease and stroke — could be prevented through lifestyle changes. The choices you make every day determine your heart's future.
The Mediterranean and DASH diets reduce heart disease risk by 25–30%. Prioritize vegetables, whole grains, healthy fats (olive oil, nuts), and fatty fish. Limit sodium, added sugars, and saturated fats.
150 minutes of moderate aerobic activity per week is the target. Exercise lowers blood pressure, raises HDL ("good") cholesterol, and maintains healthy weight. Even walking counts.
Smoking is one of the most powerful risk factors for heart disease. Quitting at any age reduces risk dramatically — within one year, risk drops by half.
Obesity increases risk through multiple pathways simultaneously — blood pressure, cholesterol, diabetes risk, and inflammation. Even modest weight loss produces meaningful cardiovascular benefit.
Chronic stress raises cortisol, blood pressure, and inflammation. Evidence supports mindfulness, yoga, social connection, and regular sleep as effective stress-reduction tools.
Know your blood pressure, cholesterol, blood sugar, and BMI. Regular screening catches risk factors early — before they cause damage. Adults should screen at least every 4–6 years starting at 20.
Target blood pressure for most adults. Even slightly elevated pressure silently damages vessels.
Target LDL cholesterol (mg/dL) for most people. Under 70 for those with existing heart disease.
Weekly moderate exercise recommended by the American Heart Association to protect cardiovascular health.
Optimal nightly sleep. Both too little and too much sleep are independently linked to heart disease risk.