What Is Heart Disease?

Heart disease is caused by atherosclerosis (ath-uh-roh-skluh-roh-sis), which is the buildup of fatty deposits, or plaques, in the walls of the coronary arteries over many years. The coronary arteries surround the outside of the heart and supply blood nutrients and oxygen to the heart muscle.

What Is Rheumatic Heart Disease?

Rheumatic heart disease is when heart valves become damaged due to a “Group A Streptococcal′ throat infection, more commonly known as strep throat. The infection usually occurs during childhood, but the heart damage only becomes apparent many years later.

Understanding Heart Disease in Women

Many many women and many doctors don't know that heart disease is the number one killer of women, and the most common cause of disability. Furthermore, the heart disease that is seen in women is often not quite the same as heart disease in men. It may be more difficult to diagnose, and more difficult to treat.

Heart Disease Risk Factors in Women

If you are a woman, it is important to understand your heart disease risk—and to do something about it.

While many women (and unfortunately, some doctors) apparently still do not know it, heart disease is the number one killer of women.

Keep Your Heart Healthy

Heart 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.
To help prevent heart disease, you can:

Walk Your Way to Better Heart Health

With every step, walking offers benefits and is some of the best exercise for heart health. It can improve your cholesterol levels, blood pressure and energy levels, plus it can fight weight gain to improve heart health overall, explains the American Heart Association. Walking can also reduce stress, clear your mind and boost your mood.

Lowering Your Risk of Heart Disease

Some heart diseases run in families. Does this mean you are doomed? Absolutely not! While there are risk factors that are out of your control, there are steps you can take to live a heart-healthy life and help prevent disease.