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\nHeart disease is the leading cause of death for both men and women in the United States. Take steps today to lower your risk of heart disease.
\nTo help prevent heart disease, you can:
\nEveryone is at risk for heart disease. But you are at higher risk for heart disease if you:
\nYour age and family history also affect your risk for heart disease. Your risk is higher if:
\nBut the good news is there's a lot you can do to prevent heart disease.
\nWhen people talk about heart disease, they are usually talking about coronary heart disease (CHD). It\u2019s also called coronary artery disease (CAD). This is the most common type of heart disease.
\nWhen someone has CHD, the coronary arteries (tubes) that take blood to the heart are narrow or blocked. This happens when cholesterol and fatty material, called plaque (\u201cplak\u201d), build up inside the arteries.
\nPlaque is caused by:
\nWhen plaque blocks an artery, it\u2019s hard for blood to flow to the heart. A blocked artery can cause chest pain or a heart attack. Learn more about CHD.
\nA heart attack happens when blood flow to the heart is suddenly blocked. Part of the heart may die if the person doesn\u2019t get help quickly.
\nSome common signs of a heart attack include:
\nNot everyone who has a heart attack will have all the signs. Learn more about the signs of a heart attack.
\nSigns of a heart attack often come on suddenly. But sometimes, they develop slowly \u2013 hours, days, or even weeks before a heart attack happens.
\nTalk to your doctor if you feel unusually tired for several days, or if you develop any new health problems (like pain or trouble breathing). It's also important to talk to your doctor if existing health issues (like pain) are bothering you more than usual.
\nIf you\u2019ve had a heart attack in the past, it\u2019s important to know that symptoms of a new heart attack might be different from your last one \u2013 so talk with your doctor if you have any concerns about how you feel.
\nDon\u2019t ignore any signs or feel embarrassed to call for help. Acting fast can save a life. Call 911 even if you aren't sure it\u2019s a heart attack.
\nAn ambulance is the best and safest way to get to the hospital. In an ambulance, EMTs (emergency medical technicians) can keep track of how you are doing and start life-saving treatments right away.
\nPeople who call an ambulance often get treated faster at the hospital. And, if you call 911, the operator can tell you what to do until the ambulance gets there.
\nTake steps today to lower your risk for heart disease.
\nHigh cholesterol and high blood pressure can cause heart disease and heart attack. If your cholesterol or blood pressure numbers are high, you can take steps to lower them.
\nIt\u2019s important to get your cholesterol checked at least every 4 to 6 years. Some people will need to get it checked more or less often.
\nStarting at age 18, get your blood pressure checked regularly. High blood pressure has no signs or symptoms.
\nUse the myhealthfinder tool to get more screening recommendations based on your age and sex.
\nYour family history affects your risk for heart disease. Use this family health history tool to keep track of your family\u2019s health. Share the information with your doctor or nurse.
\nIf you are worried about a family member\u2019s risk for heart disease, use these tips to start a conversation about heart health.
\nIf you are age 50 to 59, taking aspirin every day can lower your risk of heart attack and stroke \u2013 but it\u2019s not recommended for everyone. Talk with your doctor to find out if taking aspirin is the right choice for you.
\nExperts recommend that some people ages 40 to 75 take medicines called statins if they are at high risk for heart attack and stroke. Use these questions to talk with your doctor about statins.
\nEating healthy can help lower your risk of heart disease. A heart-healthy diet includes foods that are low in saturated and trans fats, added sugars, and sodium (salt).
\nHeart-healthy items include high-fiber foods (whole grains, fruits, and vegetables) and certain fats (like the fats in olive oil and fish). Use this shopping list to find heart-healthy foods.
\nCheck out these heart-healthy recipe collections:
\nGet heart-healthy tips for dining out [PDF - 3 MB]. For example, ask for a side salad instead of chips or french fries.
\nIf you choose to drink alcohol, drink only in moderation. This means limiting your drinking to no more than 1 drink a day for woman and no more than 2 drinks a day for men. Drinking too much alcohol can increase your risk of heart disease.
\nGetting active can help prevent heart disease. Adults need at least 2 hours and 30 minutes of moderate aerobic activity each week. This includes walking fast, dancing, and biking.
\nIf you are just getting started, try walking for 10 minutes a day, a few days each week. Then add more activity over time.
\nPeople who are overweight or obese are at an increased risk for heart disease, high blood pressure, and type 2 diabetes. If you are overweight or obese, losing just 10 pounds can lower your risk of heart disease. Find out how to control your weight.
\nIf you don't know if you are at a healthy weight, use this BMI calculator to figure out your BMI (body mass index).
\nQuitting smoking helps lower your risk of heart disease and heart attack. Call 1-800-QUIT-NOW (1-800-784-8669) for free support and to set up your plan for quitting.
\nAvoiding secondhand smoke is important, too \u2013 so keep your home smoke-free. If you have guests who smoke, ask them to smoke outside. If someone in your home smokes, use these tips to start a conversation about quitting.
\nManaging stress can help prevent serious health problems like heart disease, depression, and high blood pressure. Deep breathing and meditation are good ways to relax and manage stress.
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