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Approximately 2,500 people die from heart disease each day, although the death rate is declining steadily, mainly because of advanced medical care and widespread education about risk factors.
There are different types of heart disease — some types are closely linked to diet and lifestyle and are preventable; other types are due to genetics, infections, or other factors that are not preventable.
Common types of heart disease are:
- Coronary artery disease
- Heart arrhythmias
- Heart failure
- Heart valve disease
- Endocarditis
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- Rheumatic heart disease
- Pericardial disease
- Cardiomyopathy (heart muscle disease)
- Congenital heart disease.
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Coronary artery disease is the most common heart disease and leading cause of death in the United States. This disease is caused by blockages in the coronary arteries that supply blood to the heart muscle, depriving it of oxygen. Severe coronary artery disease can lead to heart failure and can also result in chest pain, a heart attack or sudden death.
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- Abnormal cholesterol levels — high LDL cholesterol or low HDL cholesterol
- Age (the likelihood of heart disease increases significantly after the age of 65 for both men and women, and, for women, after menopause)
- Family history
- Gender (men are more likely than women to be affected)
- Genetics
- High blood pressure (hypertension)
- Obesity
- Sedentary lifestyle
- Smoking
- Stress.
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- Discomfort, heaviness, pressure, aching, burning, fullness, squeezing, or painful feeling in your chest or left shoulder, arms, neck, throat, jaw, or back
- Shortness of breath
- Heart palpitations
- Rapid heartbeat
- Weakness or dizziness
- Nausea
- Sweating.
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Stress reduction and lifestyle changes, such as the following, are necessary to stabilize your blood pressure and cholesterol levels:
- Quit smoking
- Exercise regularly (at least three to four times a week for 30 minutes at a time) to strengthen heart and blood vessels, reduce stress, reduce blood pressure, and increase HDL cholesterol
- Drink alcohol only in moderation (one drink per day maximum)
- Maintain an ideal weight for your age, height and gender
- Eat foods low in cholesterol, saturated fat and salt.
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For more information on heart disease, login
to WebMD and visit the Cardiovascular Health Condition Center.
Other helpful resources include:
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