Cardiovascular Health

Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States. Learn how to protect your heart and reduce your risk.

Risk Factors

High blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, smoking, obesity, physical inactivity, and family history are all major risk factors for heart disease. The good news is that most of these risk factors are manageable — controlling even one or two significantly lowers your overall risk.

Heart-Healthy Habits

Exercise 30 minutes most days. Eat a diet rich in vegetables, fruits, and whole grains. Do not smoke. Manage stress. Get 7–9 hours of sleep per night. Control blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar. These habits work together — improving one often improves the others as well.

Warning Signs

Call 911 immediately for: chest pain or pressure, shortness of breath, pain radiating to arm or jaw, sudden numbness or weakness, sudden severe headache. Women and people of Asian descent may experience atypical heart attack symptoms such as nausea, fatigue, or back pain — do not wait to see if symptoms pass.