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Coronary artery disease.

High blood pressure.

Diabetes.

Smoking.

Excessive use of alcohol or caffeine.

Drug abuse.

Stress.

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Heart disease, used interchangeably with the term cardiovascular disease, refers to various conditions relating to the heart. It is the leading cause of death in the U.S. for men and women - responsible for 1 in every 4 deaths, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Journalists: Broadcast-quality video pkg (1:00) is in the downloads at the end of the post.
Please 'Courtesy: Mayo Clinic News Network.' Read thescript.
"The heart keeps us alive, so having heart disease can be a very important factor in how long we live," says Dr. Sharrone N. Hayes, a cardiologist at Mayo Clinic.

Heart disease is a big term referring to any disease of the heart, says Dr. Hayes. The most common cause is coronary artery disease, which refers to a buildup of plaque in the arteries. Over time, it can lead to narrowing of arteries and risk of a heart attack.

"A heart attack is when part of the heart muscle dies because it is deprived of blood flow or oxygen. And this can occur because it's a blockage due to a blood clot or plaque, or it can be due to the heart having to work really, really hard that outstrips the oxygen supply."

Most coronary artery disease is preventable, says Dr. Hayes.

"If you're smoking, stop. If you're a couch potato, get up and start taking 10- or 20-minute walks every day. Bump it up. Physical activity is medicine."

Know your cholesterol and blood pressure numbers, exercise, and maintain normal weight. These are all ways to help reduce your risk of heart disease.

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Mayo Clinic Minute: What is heart disease?

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Heart disease, used interchangeably with the term cardiovascular disease, refers to various conditions relating to the heart. It is the leading cause of death in the U.S. for men and women - responsible for 1 in every 4 deaths, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

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Lifestyle changes. These include eating a low-fat and low-sodium diet, getting at least 30 minutes of moderate exercise on most days of the week, quitting smoking, and limiting alcohol intake.

Medical procedures or surgery. If medications aren't enough, it's possible your doctor will recommend specific procedures or surgery. The type of procedure will depend on the type of heart disease and the extent of the damage to your heart.

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What age group/gender/cultural group is mostly affected by this disease?

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What age group/gender/cultural group is mostly affected by this disease?

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The older you get, the more likely you are to acquire cardiovascular disease. The typical age range is 65 and older. Both men and women are at an equal risk for cardiovascular disease excpet diabetes is one of the leading causes for women.

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Don't smoke or use tobacco

Get enough quality sleep

Eat healthy foods

Exercise everyday or play sports

Check your weight

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Strategies to prevent heart disease

You can prevent heart disease by following a heart-healthy lifestyle. Here are strategies to help you protect your heart.
By Mayo Clinic Staff
Heart disease is a leading cause of death, but it's not inevitable. While you can't change some risk factors - such as family history, sex or age - there are plenty of ways you can reduce your risk of heart disease.

Get started with these seven tips for boosting your heart health:

1. Don't smoke or use tobacco

One of the best things you can do for your heart is to stop smoking or using smokeless tobacco. Even if you're not a smoker, be sure to avoid secondhand smoke.

Chemicals in tobacco can damage the heart and blood vessels. Cigarette smoke reduces the oxygen in the blood, which increases blood pressure and heart rate because the heart has to work harder to supply enough oxygen to the body and brain.

There's good news though. The risk of heart disease starts to drop in as little as a day after quitting. After a year without cigarettes, the risk of heart disease drops to about half that of a smoker. No matter how long or how much you smoked, you'll start reaping rewards as soon as you quit.

2. Get moving: Aim for at least 30 to 60 minutes of activity daily

Regular, daily physical activity can lower the risk of heart disease. Physical activity helps control your weight. It also reduces the chances of developing other conditions that may put a strain on the heart, such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol and type 2 diabetes.

If you haven't been active for a while, you may need to slowly work your way up to these goals, but in general, you should do aim for at least:

150 minutes a week of moderate aerobic exercise, such as walking at a brisk pace

75 minutes a week of vigorous aerobic activity, such as running

Two or more strength training sessions a week

Even shorter bouts of activity offer heart benefits, so if you can't meet those guidelines, don't give up. Just five minutes of moving can help, and activities such as gardening, housekeeping, taking the stairs and walking the dog all count toward your total. You don't have to exercise strenuously to achieve benefits, but you can see bigger benefits by increasing the intensity, duration and frequency of your workouts.

3. Eat a heart-healthy diet

A healthy diet can help protect the heart, improve blood pressure and cholesterol, and reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes. A heart-healthy eating plan includes:

Vegetables and fruits

Beans or other legumes

Lean meats and fish

Low-fat or fat-free dairy foods

Whole grains

Healthy fats, such as olive oil

Two examples of heart-healthy food plans include the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) eating plan and the Mediterranean diet.

Limit intake of the following:

Salt

Sugar

Processed carbohydrates

Alcohol

Saturated fat (found in red meat and full-fat dairy products) and trans fat (found in fried fast food, chips, baked goods)

4. Maintain a healthy weight

Being overweight - especially around the middle of the body - increases the risk of heart disease. Excess weight can lead to conditions that increase the chances of developing heart disease - including high blood pressure, high cholesterol and type 2 diabetes.

The body mass index (BMI) uses height and weight to determine whether a person is overweight or obese. A BMI of 25 or higher is considered overweight and is generally associated with higher cholesterol, higher blood pressure, and an increased risk of heart disease and stroke.

Waist circumference also can be a useful tool to measure how much belly fat you have. The risk of heart disease is higher if the waist measurement is greater than:

40 inches (101.6 centimeters, or cm) for men

35 inches (88.9 cm) for women

Even a small weight loss can be beneficial. Reducing weight by just 3&percnt; to 5&percnt; can help decrease certain fats in the blood (triglycerides), lower blood sugar (glucose) and reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes. Losing even more helps lower blood pressure and blood cholesterol level.

5. Get good quality sleep

People who don't get enough sleep have a higher risk of obesity, high blood pressure, heart attack, diabetes and depression.

Most adults need at least seven hours of sleep each night. Make sleep a priority in your life. Set a sleep schedule and stick to it by going to bed and waking up at the same times each day. Keep your bedroom dark and quiet, so it's easier to sleep.

If you feel like you've been getting enough sleep but you're still tired throughout the day, ask your health care provider if you need to be evaluated for obstructive sleep apnea, a condition that can increase your risk of heart disease. Signs of obstructive sleep apnea include loud snoring, stopping breathing for short times during sleep and waking up gasping for air. Treatments for obstructive sleep apnea may include losing weight if you're overweight or using a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) device that keeps your airway open while you sleep.

6. Manage stress

Some people cope with stress in unhealthy ways - such as overeating, drinking or smoking. Finding alternative ways to manage stress - such as physical activity, relaxation exercises or meditation - can help improve your health.

7. Get regular health screenings

High blood pressure and high cholesterol can damage the heart and blood vessels. But without testing for them, you probably won't know whether you have these conditions. Regular screening can tell you what your numbers are and whether you need to take action.

Blood pressure. Regular blood pressure screenings usually start in childhood. Starting at age 18, blood pressure should be measured at least once every two years to screen for high blood pressure as a risk factor for heart disease and stroke.

If you're between 18 and 39 and have risk factors for high blood pressure, you'll likely be screened once a year. People age 40 and older also are given a blood pressure test yearly.

Cholesterol levels. Adults generally have their cholesterol measured at least once every four to six years. Cholesterol screening usually starts at age 20, though earlier testing may be recommended if you have other risk factors, such as a family history of early-onset heart disease.

Type 2 diabetes screening. Diabetes is a risk factor for heart disease. If you have risk factors for diabetes, such as being overweight or having a family history of diabetes, your health care provider may recommend early screening. If not, screening is recommended beginning at age 45, with retesting every three years.

If you have a condition such as high cholesterol, high blood pressure or diabetes, your health care provider may prescribe medications and recommend lifestyle changes. Make sure to take your medications as your health care provider prescribes and follow a healthy-lifestyle plan.

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Show references

1. Gupta R, et al. Primary prevention of ischaemic heart disease: Populations, individuals, and health professionals. The Lancet. 2019; doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(19)31893-8.

2. Know the facts about heart disease. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/heartdisease/facts.htm. Accessed Sept. 2, 2019.

3. Hennekens CH. Overview of primary prevention of coronary heart disease and stroke. https://www.uptodate.com/contents/search. Accessed Sept. 3, 2019.

4. How to prevent heart disease at any age. American Heart Association. https://www.heart.org/en/healthy-living/healthy-lifestyle/how-to-help-prevent-heart-disease-at-any-age. Accessed Sept. 2, 2019.

5. Heart-healthy lifestyle changes. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health-topics/heart-healthy-lifestyle-changes. Accessed Sept. 2, 2019.

6. Smokeless tobacco: Health effects. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/data_statistics/fact_sheets/smokeless/health_effects/index.htm. Accessed Sept. 2, 2019.

7. How smoking affects heart health. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. https://www.fda.gov/tobacco-products/health-information/how-smoking-affects-heart-health. Accessed Sept. 2, 2019.

8. Benefits of quitting. American Lung Association. https://www.lung.org/stop-smoking/i-want-to-quit/benefits-of-quitting.html. Accessed Sept. 2, 2019.

9. Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans. 2nd ed. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. https://health.gov/paguidelines/second-edition. Accessed Sept. 2, 2019.

10. How does sleep affect your heart health? Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/features/sleep-heart-health/index.html. Accessed Sept. 2, 2019.

11. What is sleep apnea? National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health-topics/sleep-apnea. Accessed Sept. 2, 2019.

12. AskMayoExpert. Screening, immunization, and prevention (child). Mayo Clinic; 2019.

13. AskMayoExpert. Screening, immunization, and prevention (adult). Mayo Clinic; 2019.

See more In-depth

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You can prevent heart disease by following a heart-healthy lifestyle. Here are strategies to help you protect your heart. By Mayo Clinic Staff Heart disease is a leading cause of death, but it's not inevitable. While you can't change some risk factors - such as family history, sex or age - there are plenty of ways you can reduce your risk of heart disease.

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1. There are 4 heart valve types; Tricuspid, Mitral, Pulmonary, Aortic)
2. About 610,000 people die of heart disease in the United States every year–that's 1 in every 4 deaths. Heart disease is the leading cause of death for both men and women.

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- Chest pain, chest tightness, chest pressure and chest discomfort
- Shortness of breath
- Pain, numbness, weakness or coldness in your legs or arms if the blood vessels in those parts of your body are narrowed
- Pain in the neck, jaw, throat, upper abdomen or back

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It's non-communicable because the disease is on the inside of the body and it doesn't go outside(it cannot be transferred).

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Cardiovascular disease are conditions that involve narrow or blocked blood vessels that can lead to a heart attack, chest pain or stroke. Other conditions, such as those that affect your heart's muscle, valves or rhythm, also are considered forms of heart disease.

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Overview

Heart disease describes a range of conditions that affect the heart. Heart diseases include:

Blood vessel disease, such as coronary artery disease

Irregular heartbeats (arrhythmias)

Heart problems you're born with (congenital heart defects)

Disease of the heart muscle

Heart valve disease

Many forms of heart disease can be prevented or treated with healthy lifestyle choices.

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Show more products from Mayo Clinic

Symptoms

Heart disease symptoms depend on the type of heart disease.

Symptoms of heart disease in the blood vessels

Coronary artery disease is a common heart condition that affects the major blood vessels that supply the heart muscle. Cholesterol deposits (plaques) in the heart arteries are usually the cause of coronary artery disease. The buildup of these plaques is called atherosclerosis (ath-ur-o-skluh-ROE-sis). Atherosclerosis reduces blood flow to the heart and other parts of the body. It can lead to a heart attack, chest pain (angina) or stroke.

Coronary artery disease symptoms may be different for men and women. For instance, men are more likely to have chest pain. Women are more likely to have other symptoms along with chest discomfort, such as shortness of breath, nausea and extreme fatigue.

Symptoms of coronary artery disease can include:

Chest pain, chest tightness, chest pressure and chest discomfort (angina)

Shortness of breath

Pain in the neck, jaw, throat, upper belly area or back

Pain, numbness, weakness or coldness in the legs or arms if the blood vessels in those body areas are narrowed

You might not be diagnosed with coronary artery disease until you have a heart attack, angina, stroke or heart failure. It's important to watch for heart symptoms and discuss concerns with your health care provider. Heart (cardiovascular) disease can sometimes be found early with regular health checkups.

What is coronary artery disease? A Mayo Clinic cardiologist explains.

Stephen Kopecky, M.D., talks about the risk factors, symptoms and treatment of coronary artery disease (CAD). Learn how lifestyle changes can lower your risk.
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Stephen Kopecky, M.D., Cardiovascular Disease, Mayo Clinic: I'm Dr. Stephen Kopecky, a cardiologist at Mayo Clinic. In this video, we'll cover the basics of coronary artery disease. What is it? Who gets it? The symptoms, diagnosis and treatment. Whether you're looking for answers for yourself or someone you love, we're here to give you the best information available.

Coronary artery disease, also called CAD, is a condition that affects your heart. It is the most common heart disease in the United States. CAD happens when coronary arteries struggle to supply the heart with enough blood, oxygen and nutrients. Cholesterol deposits, or plaques, are almost always to blame. These buildups narrow your arteries, decreasing blood flow to your heart. This can cause chest pain, shortness of breath or even a heart attack. CAD typically takes a long time to develop. So often, patients don't know that they have it until there's a problem. But there are ways to prevent coronary artery disease, and ways to know if you're at risk and ways to treat it.

Who gets it?

Anyone can develop CAD. It begins when fats, cholesterols and other substances gather along the walls of your arteries. This process is called atherosclerosis. It's typically no cause for concern. However, too much buildup can lead to a blockage, obstructing blood flow. There are a number of risk factors, common red flags, that can contribute to this and ultimately lead to coronary artery disease. First, getting older can mean more damaged and narrowed arteries. Second, men are generally at a greater risk. But the risk for women increases after menopause. Existing health conditions matter, too. High blood pressure can thicken your arteries, narrowing your blood flow. High cholesterol levels can increase the rate of plaque buildup. Diabetes is also associated with higher risk, as is being overweight. Your lifestyle plays a large role as well. Physical inactivity, long periods of unrelieved stress in your life, an unhealthy diet and smoking can all increase your risk. And finally, family history. If a close relative was diagnosed at an early age with heart disease, you're at a greater risk. All these factors together can paint a picture of your risk for developing CAD.

What are the symptoms?

When coronary arteries become narrow, the heart doesn't get enough oxygen-rich blood. Remember, unlike most pumps, the heart has to pump its own energy supply. It's working harder with less. And you may begin to notice these signs and symptoms of pressure or tightness in your chest. This pain is called angina. It may feel like somebody is standing on your chest. When your heart can't pump enough blood to meet your body's needs, you might develop shortness of breath or extreme fatigue during activities. And if an artery becomes totally blocked, it leads to a heart attack. Classic signs and symptoms of a heart attack include crushing, substernal chest pain, pain in your shoulders or arms, shortness of breath, and sweating. However, many heart attacks have minimal or no symptoms and are found later during routine testing.

How is it diagnosed?

Diagnosing CAD starts by talking to your doctor. They'll be able to look at your medical history, do a physical exam and order routine blood work. Depending on that, they may suggest one or more of the following tests: an electrocardiogram or ECG, an echocardiogram or soundwave test of the heart, stress test, cardiac catheterization and angiogram, or a cardiac CT scan.

How is it treated?

Treating coronary artery disease usually means making changes to your lifestyle. This might be eating healthier foods, exercising regularly, losing excess weight, reducing stress or quitting smoking. The good news is these changes can do a lot to improve your outlook. Living a healthier life translates to having healthier arteries. When necessary, treatment could involve drugs like aspirin, cholesterol-modifying medications, beta-blockers, or certain medical procedures like angioplasty or coronary artery bypass surgery.

What now?

Discovering you have coronary artery disease can be overwhelming. But be encouraged. There are things you can do to manage and live with this condition. Reducing cholesterol, lowering blood pressure, quitting tobacco, eating healthier, exercising and managing your stress can make a world of difference. Better heart health starts by educating yourself. So don't be afraid to seek out information and ask your doctors about coronary artery disease. If you'd like to learn even more about this condition, watch our other related videos or visit Mayoclinic.org. We wish you well.

Heart disease symptoms caused by irregular heartbeats (heart arrhythmias)

The heart may beat too quickly, too slowly or irregularly. Heart arrhythmia symptoms can include:

Chest pain or discomfort

Dizziness

Fainting (syncope) or near fainting

Fluttering in the chest

Lightheadedness

Racing heartbeat (tachycardia)

Shortness of breath

Slow heartbeat (bradycardia)

Heart disease symptoms caused by congenital heart defects

Serious congenital heart defects usually are noticed soon after birth. Congenital heart defect symptoms in children could include:

Pale gray or blue skin or lips (cyanosis)

Swelling in the legs, belly area or areas around the eyes

In an infant, shortness of breath during feedings, leading to poor weight gain

Less-serious congenital heart defects are often not diagnosed until later in childhood or during adulthood. Symptoms of congenital heart defects that usually aren't immediately life-threatening include:

Easily getting short of breath during exercise or activity

Easily tiring during exercise or activity

Swelling of the hands, ankles or feet

Heart disease symptoms caused by diseased heart muscle (cardiomyopathy)

Early stages of cardiomyopathy may not cause noticeable symptoms. As the condition worsens, symptoms may include:

Dizziness, lightheadedness and fainting

Fatigue

Feeling short of breath during activity or at rest

Feeling short of breath at night when trying to sleep or waking up short of breath

Irregular heartbeats that feel rapid, pounding or fluttering

Swollen legs, ankles or feet

Heart disease symptoms caused by heart valve problems (valvular heart disease)

The heart has four valves - the aortic, mitral, pulmonary and tricuspid valves. They open and close to move blood through the heart. Many things can damage the heart valves. A heart valve may become narrowed (stenosis), leaky (regurgitation or insufficiency) or close improperly (prolapse).

Valvular heart disease is also called heart valve disease. Depending on which valve isn't working properly, heart valve disease symptoms generally include:

Chest pain

Fainting (syncope)

Fatigue

Irregular heartbeat

Shortness of breath

Swollen feet or ankles

Endocarditis is an infection that affects the heart valves and inner lining of the heart chambers and heart valves (endocardium). Endocarditis symptoms can include:

Dry or persistent cough

Fever

Heartbeat changes

Shortness of breath

Skin rashes or unusual spots

Swelling of the legs or belly area

Weakness or fatigue

When to see a doctor

Seek emergency medical care if you have these heart disease symptoms:

Always call 911 or emergency medical help if you think you might be having a heart attack.

Heart disease is easier to treat when detected early. Talk to your health care provider if you have any concerns about your heart health. Together, you and your provider can discuss ways to reduce your heart disease risk. This is especially important if you have a family history of heart disease.

If you think you may symptoms of heart disease, make an appointment to see your provider.

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Causes

Heart disease causes depend on the specific type of heart disease. There are many different types of heart disease.

How the heart works

To understand the causes of heart disease, it may help to understand how the heart works.

The heart is divided into chambers - two upper chambers (atria) and two lower chambers (ventricles).

The right side of the heart moves blood to the lungs through blood vessels (pulmonary arteries).

In the lungs, blood picks up oxygen and then returns to the left side of the heart through the pulmonary veins.

The left side of the heart then pumps the blood through the aorta and out to the rest of the body.

Heart valves

Four heart valves - the aortic, mitral, pulmonary and tricuspid - keep the blood moving the right way. The valves open only one way and only when they need to. Valves must open all the way and close tightly so there's no leakage.

Heartbeats

A beating heart squeezes (contracts) and relaxes in a continuous cycle.

During contraction (systole), the lower heart chambers (ventricles) squeeze tight. This action forces blood to the lungs and the rest of the body.

During relaxation (diastole), the ventricles fill with blood from the upper heart chambers (atria).

Electrical system

The heart's electrical system keeps it beating. The heartbeat controls the continuous exchange of oxygen-rich blood with oxygen-poor blood. This exchange keeps you alive.

Electrical signals start in the upper right chamber (right atrium).

The signals travel through specialized pathways to the lower heart chambers (ventricles). This tells the heart to pump.

Causes of coronary artery disease

A buildup of fatty plaques in the arteries (atherosclerosis) is the most common cause of coronary artery disease. Risk factors include a poor diet, lack of exercise, obesity and smoking. Healthy lifestyle choices can help lower the risk of atherosclerosis.

Causes of irregular heartbeats (arrhythmias)

Common causes of arrhythmias or conditions that can lead to them include:

Cardiomyopathy

Coronary artery disease

Diabetes

Drug misuse

Emotional stress

Excessive use of alcohol or caffeine

Heart problem present at birth (congenital heart defects)

High blood pressure

Smoking

Heart valve disease

Use of certain medications, including those bought without a prescription, and herbs and supplements

Causes of congenital heart defects

A congenital heart defect develops while a baby is growing in the womb. A congenital heart defect forms as the baby's heart develops, about a month after conception. Congenital heart defects change the flow of blood in the heart. Some medical conditions, medications and genes increase the risk of congenital heart defects.

Causes of a thickened or enlarged heart muscle (cardiomyopathy)

The cause of cardiomyopathy depends on the type:

Dilated cardiomyopathy. The cause of this most common type of cardiomyopathy often is unknown. It may be passed down through families (inherited). Dilated cardiomyopathy typically starts in the heart's main pumping chamber (left ventricle). Many things can cause damage to the left ventricle, including heart attacks, infections, toxins and some drugs, including cancer medicines.

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. This type is usually passed down through families (inherited).

Restrictive cardiomyopathy. This is the least common type of cardiomyopathy. It can occur for no known reason. Sometimes it's caused by a buildup of protein called amyloid in the heart (cardiac amyloidosis) or connective tissue disorders.

Causes of heart infection

A heart infection, such as endocarditis, occurs when germs reach the heart or heart valves. The most common causes of heart infections are:

Causes of heart valve disease

Many things can cause diseases of the heart valves. Some people are born with heart valve disease (congenital heart valve disease). Heart valve disease may also be caused by conditions such as:

Rheumatic fever

Infections (infectious endocarditis)

Connective tissue disorders

Risk factors

Risk factors for heart disease include:

Age. Growing older increases the risk of damaged and narrowed arteries and a weakened or thickened heart muscle.

Sex. Men are generally at greater risk of heart disease. The risk for women increases after menopause.

Family history. A family history of heart disease increases the risk of coronary artery disease, especially if a parent developed it at an early age (before age 55 for a male relative, such as your brother or father, and 65 for a female relative, such as your mother or sister).

Smoking. If you smoke, quit. Substances in tobacco smoke damage the arteries. Heart attacks are more common in smokers than in nonsmokers. If you need help quitting, talk to your health care provider about strategies that can help.

Unhealthy diet. Diets high in fat, salt, sugar and cholesterol have been linked to heart disease.

High blood pressure. Uncontrolled high blood pressure can cause the arteries to become hard and thick. These changes interrupt blood flow to the heart and body.

High cholesterol. Having high cholesterol increases the risk of atherosclerosis. Atherosclerosis has been linked to heart attacks and strokes.

Diabetes. Diabetes increases the risk of heart disease. Obesity and high blood pressure increase the risk of diabetes and heart disease.

Obesity. Excess weight typically worsens other heart disease risk factors.

Lack of exercises. Being inactive (sedentary lifestyle) is associated with many forms of heart disease and some of its risk factors, too.

Stress. Unrelieved stress may damage the arteries and worsen other risk factors for heart disease.

Poor dental health. It's important to brush and floss your teeth and gums often. Also get regular dental checkups. Unhealthy teeth and gums makes it easier for germs to enter the bloodstream and travel to the heart. This can cause endocarditis.

Complications

Complications of heart disease include:

Heart failure. This is one of the most common complications of heart disease. Heart failure occurs when the heart can't pump enough blood to meet the body's needs.

Heart attack. A heart attack may occur if a blood clot is stuck in a blood vessel that goes to the heart.

Stroke. The risk factors that lead to heart disease can also lead to an ischemic stroke. This type of stroke happens when the arteries to the brain are narrowed or blocked. Too little blood reaches the brain. A stroke is a medical emergency - brain tissue begins to die within just a few minutes of a stroke.

Aneurysm. An aneurysm is a bulge in the wall of an artery. If an aneurysm bursts, you may have life-threatening internal bleeding.

Peripheral artery disease. In this condition, the arms or legs - usually the legs - don't get enough blood. This causes symptoms, most notably leg pain when walking (claudication). Atherosclerosis can lead to peripheral artery disease.

Sudden cardiac arrest. Sudden cardiac arrest is the sudden loss of heart function, breathing and consciousness. It's usually due to a problem with the heart's electrical system. Sudden cardiac arrest is a medical emergency. If not treated immediately, it results in sudden cardiac death.

Prevention

The same lifestyle changes used to manage heart disease may also help prevent it. Try these heart-healthy tips:

Don't smoke.

Eat a diet that's low in salt and saturated fat.

Exercise at least 30 minutes a day on most days of the week.

Maintain a healthy weight.

Reduce and manage stress.

Control high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes.

Get good sleep. Adults should aim for 7 to 9 hours daily.

More Information

Show more related information

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Learn about symptoms, causes and treatment of cardiovascular disease, a term describing a wide range of conditions that can affect the heart.