Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States. Around 630,000 Americans die of the condition each year. That is more than one in every four deaths in the United States.¹

The term "heart disease" refers to several types of heart conditions. In the United States, the most common type of coronary artery disease (CAD), which can lead to heart attack. You can greatly reduce your risk for CAD through lifestyle changes and, in some cases, medication.

CAD can cause heart attack. If you have a heart attack, you are more likely to survive if you know the signs and symptoms, call 9-1-1 right away, and get to a hospital quickly. People who have had a heart attack can also reduce the risk of future heart attacks or strokes by making lifestyle changes and taking medication.

Visit the links on the left to learn more about heart disease, what you can do to stay healthy, and how to act in time if you notice signs and symptoms of a heart attack.

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• New Institute of Medicine Report Finds Even Brief Exposure to Secondhand Smoke Can Trigger a Heart Attack
• Most Americans Should Consume Less Sodium
• 2008 Stroke Hospitalization Atlas for Medicare Beneficiaries
• Heart Disease and Stroke Prevention: Addressing the Nation’s Leading Killers—At A Glance 2009
• State Heart Disease and Stroke Prevention Program
• Heart Disease Fact Sheets
• Heart Disease and Stroke Atlases

Reference

1. CDC: Deaths: Final Data for 2006 [PDF–2.3M]