Each February, the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) highlights American Heart Month, encouraging individuals to adopt heart-healthy lifestyles to lower the risk of heart disease. Heart disease claims over 600,000 lives annually in the U.S., making it the leading cause of death across all ages, genders, and ethnicities.
You can lower your risk of heart disease by maintaining a balanced diet, staying active, and managing cholesterol and blood pressure. Use this opportunity to adopt long-lasting habits that support a healthier heart.
What Is Heart Disease?
Heart disease refers to various heart-related conditions, with coronary artery disease (CAD) being the most common in the U.S. This condition impacts the blood flow to the heart, and a reduction in blood flow can lead to a heart attack.
Signs of Heart Disease
Heart disease can be “silent” until serious events like a heart attack, heart failure, or arrhythmia occur. Watch for these warning signs:
Heart Attack Symptoms:
- Chest pain or discomfort
- Pain in the upper back, neck, or jaw
- Indigestion, heartburn, nausea, or vomiting
- Extreme fatigue or dizziness
- Shortness of breath
Arrhythmia Symptoms:
- Irregular heartbeat or fluttering in the chest
Heart Failure Symptoms:
- Shortness of breath
- Fatigue
- Swelling in the feet, ankles, legs, abdomen, or neck veins
Heart Disease Risk Factors
High blood pressure, high cholesterol, and smoking are major risk factors for heart disease. In the United States, nearly 47% of adults have at least one of these three contributing factors. Additionally, several other medical conditions and lifestyle choices can heighten the risk of heart disease, including:
- Diabetes
- Obesity or Overweight
- Poor Diet
- Physical Inactivity
- Excessive Alcohol Consumption
Understanding Heart Attacks
A heart attack (myocardial infarction) occurs when a portion of the heart muscle is deprived of blood. The longer the delay in restoring blood flow, the more severe the damage to the heart.
Most heart attacks result from coronary artery disease (CAD), where arteries become blocked. In rare cases, a severe spasm or sudden tightening of a coronary artery can also trigger a heart attack.
Heart Disease in Men
- Leading Cause of Death: In 2021, heart disease caused 384,886 deaths among men, accounting for about 1 in 4 male deaths.
- Racial and Ethnic Impact: Across various racial and ethnic groups in the United States, including African Americans, American Indians or Alaska Natives, Hispanics, and whites, heart disease remains the leading cause of death for men. However, for Asian American or Pacific Islander men, heart disease ranks second, with cancer being the primary cause.
- Approximately 7.7% of white men, 7.1% of black men, and 5.9% of Hispanic men are diagnosed with coronary heart disease.
- Silent Risk: About 50% of men who die suddenly from coronary heart disease had no prior symptoms, emphasizing the need for regular check-ups.
Women and Heart Disease
- Widespread Impact: Over 60 million U.S. women (44%) live with some form of heart disease. In 2021, 310,661 women lost their lives to heart disease, making it the top cause of death for women of all ages.
- Awareness Gap: Only 56% of U.S. women recognize heart disease as their leading cause of death, highlighting the need for increased education and awareness.
References:
American Heart Association. (2023). Heart disease and stroke statistics — 2023 update. Retrieved from https://www.heart.org
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2023). Heart disease facts. Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. (2023). What is heart disease? Retrieved from https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov