What is Heart Disease
What is Heart Disease

Heart disease is also known as cardiovascular disease (CVD). It refers to health conditions that affect how our heart and blood vessels work. Heart disease can cause problems like high blood pressure, hardening of the arteries, heart attacks, and strokes. 

Heart disease is also known as cardiovascular disease (CVD). It refers to health conditions that affect how our heart and blood vessels work. Heart disease can cause problems like high blood pressure, hardening of the arteries, heart attacks, and strokes. 

So, when we talk about CVD, we’re not talking about just one thing; it’s a bunch of different conditions that can affect our heart and blood vessels in different ways. It’s important to understand that taking care of our heart health involves looking out for all these different aspects to keep our hearts strong and healthy. 

Why Should I Care
Why Should I Care

Because it can happen to you or a loved one!  Heart disease is the #1 cause of death in the United States, but it can be prevented! Understanding your risk and knowing strategies to prevent heart disease can help you live a long, healthy life!

Because it can happen to you or a loved one!  Heart disease is the #1 cause of death in the United States, but it can be prevented! Understanding your risk and knowing strategies to prevent heart disease can help you live a long, healthy life!

Your heart is responsible for pumping blood and oxygen throughout your body. Keeping it healthy is important to live a long, healthy life! 

Risk Factors Header
Risk Factors MOBILE

The risk of heart disease can be bigger due to certain risk factors.
These include:

(Click Each to Learn More. -and Click Each a Second Time to Collapse)
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High blood pressure

High blood pressure means the heart works harder, which makes its muscle thicker and stiffer, and can raise the chances of having heart problems such as a stroke or heart attack.

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Increased cholesterol levels 

If you're over 20, it's important to check your cholesterol every four to six years to keep track of your heart health, especially if you have certain risks or heart problems already.

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Use of tobacco products,
including vaping

Using tobacco raises the chance of having a heart attack or stroke because it contains nicotine, which makes your heart beat faster and your blood pressure go up. If you smoke, it's important to get help to quit, and there are many ways to do that, like programs, medicines, and therapies.

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High blood sugar

Having high blood sugar increases the risk of heart problems, even if your glucose levels are controlled, so it's important to have regular checkups, eat healthy, stay active, and sometimes take medicine to keep your blood sugar levels in check.

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Insufficient physical activity

Being inactive can raise the risk of heart disease, but doing regular exercise, like brisk walking or jogging for at least 150 minutes a week, can lower this risk by helping manage cholesterol, diabetes, obesity, and even blood pressure.

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Presence of excess body weight

People with extra body fat, especially around the waist, can be more likely to get heart disease and stroke, even if they don't have other problems. Adults with obesity who have high blood pressure or high cholesterol can make changes to lose weight and lower their risk. Even losing a little weight can help a lot!

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Consumption of a diet high
in sodium, sugar, and fat

Eating well is a great way to fight heart problems because what you eat and how much can affect things like cholesterol, blood pressure, diabetes, and weight.

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Not getting enough sleep

Having sleep disorders can be linked to a higher risk for heart disease by increasing other risk factors like obesity, stress, inflammation, and depression. Adults should try to aim for at least 7-9 hours of sleep a night.

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High Blood Pressure

High blood pressure means the heart works harder, which makes its muscle thicker and stiffer, and can raise the chances of having heart problems such as a stroke or heart attack.

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Increased cholesterol levels 

If you're over 20, it's important to check your cholesterol every four to six years to keep track of your heart health, especially if you have certain risks or heart problems already.

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Use of tobacco products,
including vaping

Using tobacco raises the chance of having a heart attack or stroke because it contains nicotine, which makes your heart beat faster and your blood pressure go up. If you smoke, it's important to get help to quit, and there are many ways to do that, like programs, medicines, and therapies.

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High blood sugar

Having high blood sugar increases the risk of heart problems, even if your glucose levels are controlled, so it's important to have regular checkups, eat healthy, stay active, and sometimes take medicine to keep your blood sugar levels in check. [citation below]

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Insufficient physical activity

Being inactive can raise the risk of heart disease, but doing regular exercise, like brisk walking or jogging for at least 150 minutes a week, can lower this risk by helping manage cholesterol, diabetes, obesity, and even blood pressure.

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Presence of excess body weight

People with extra body fat, especially around the waist, can be more likely to get heart disease and stroke, even if they don't have other problems, but overweight adults with things like high blood pressure or high cholesterol can make changes to lose weight and lower their risk, and even losing a little weight can help a lot.

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Consumption of a diet high in
sodium, sugar, and fat

Eating well is a great way to fight heart problems because what you eat and how much can affect things like cholesterol, blood pressure, diabetes, and weight.

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Not getting enough sleep

Having sleep disorders can be linked to a higher risk for heart disease by increasing other risk factors like obesity, stress, inflammation, and depression. Adults should try to aim for at least 7-9 hours of sleep a night.

Click on the AHA Life's Essential 8 icon below to learn more about these risk factors.

Click the link below to learn more about these risk factors.

If you are interested in learning more about heart health and getting connected to resources, join CONNECT now!

If you are interested in learning more about heart health and getting connected to resources, join CONNECT now!

Warning Signs MOBILE
Warning Signs Header
Symptom 1

Chest Discomfort

Sometimes, your chest might feel uncomfortable or tight.
It’s like a squeezing or heavy sensation in the middle of your chest.

Symptom 2

Pain or Discomfort in Other Areas

Pain can also happen in your arms, back, neck, jaw, or stomach.
It’s not always just in the chest; it can be in different places.

Symptom 3

Breaking Out in a Cold Sweat

Suddenly feeling sweaty, especially if it’s a cold sweat.
It’s like your body suddenly gets clammy.

Symptom 4

Shortness of Breath

You might feel you can’t catch your breath or breathe normally.
It’s like trying to take a deep breath, but it’s hard.

Symptom 5

Feeling Lightheaded or Dizzy

You might feel a bit dizzy, like the world is spinning.
It’s similar to when you stand up too quickly.

Symptom 6

Fatigue or Exhaustion

Feeling tired all the time without a clear reason.
Having tiredness that keeps coming back, making it hard to do usual activities or have energy.

Symptom 4
2 Symptom
5 Symptom
3 Symptom
6 Symptom

For more information: 

🌐 Sources 

  1. [CDC – Know Your Risk for Heart Disease]
  2. [NHLBI – Understand Your Risk for Heart Disease]
  3. [Heart.org – Understand Your Risks to Prevent a Heart Attack]