• English
• En español

Heart Disease

Home > Men's Health Home > Top Health Concerns of Men > Heart Disease

• Additional Resources

In the United States, heart disease is the number one killer of both men and women. Heart disease includes a number of abnormal conditions affecting the heart and the blood vessels in the heart. The most common type is coronary artery disease, which is the narrowing or blockage of the blood vessels that supply blood to the heart itself. This happens slowly over time and is a major reason people have heart attacks.

A man's risk of heart disease begins to rise greatly as early as age 45. You can lower your risk of heart disease by taking these steps:

• Don't smoke or use other tobacco products.
• Eat mostly fresh vegetables and fruits, whole-grain products, low-fat dairy products, and low-fat sources of protein, such as lean poultry, fish, and beans. Limit foods high in saturated fat, trans fat, cholesterol, salt, or added sugar. Drink alcohol in moderation or not at all.
• Get at least 30 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity on most, if not all, days of the week.
• Maintain a healthy weight.
• Know your blood pressure, and keep it under control.
• Know your cholesterol and triglyceride levels, and keep them under control.
• Control diabetes, if you have it.
• Talk to your doctor about taking aspirin if you are at risk for heart attack.

Additional Resources

Publications

1.   Act in Time to Heart Attack Signs - The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI), part of the National Institutes of Health, designed this web page as part of a campaign to increase awareness of the need to act fast when someone may be having a heart attack. Fast action can save lives and limit damage to the heart.

   http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/actintime/index.htm

2.   Heart and Vascular Diseases - This web site lists information from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute for patients and the public. From this page you can access information online about cholesterol, heart attack, high blood pressure, and many other topics as well as order print copies of the information.

   http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/public/heart

3.   Live Healthier, Live Longer: Cholesterol Counts for Everyone - Visit this interactive page to find information about preventing heart disease and reducing the risk of having a heart attack for those with heart disease. It contains recipes, a "how to" guide for lowering cholesterol, and many engaging activities.

   http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/chd/

4.   Men and Heart Disease Fact Sheet - This fact sheet contains statistics about men and heart disease and explains the CDCs activities to reduce the burden of heart disease among men.

   http://www.cdc.gov/dhdsp/library/fs_men_heart.htm

5.   Your Guide to Lowering Blood Pressure - "You can do it!" is the message in this action-packed guide. Follow step-by-step instructions on how to achieve and maintain a lower blood pressure through lifestyle and, if prescribed, medication. It is filled with practical advice about how to find your target weight, use herbs and spices to reduce sodium intake, and even how to remember to take your blood pressure medication.

   http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/public/heart/hbp/hbp_low/index.htm

6. Heart Attack, Stroke & Cardiac Arrest Warning Signs (Copyright © AHA) - Knowing how to respond quickly to a heart emergency is a skill that the American Heart Association encourages everyone to learn. Their web site provides information about the warning signs of a heart attack and stroke, and explains how to act effectively and in time.

   http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=3053

7. Heart Attack/Coronary Heart Disease Risk Assessment (Copyright © American Heart Association) - This health risk awareness quiz focuses on heart attack and stroke and allows you to assess your risk for heart disease and stroke. Included is a stroke risk scorecard, and questions to ask your doctor.

   http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=3003499

Organizations

1.   National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, NIH, HHS
2. American Heart Association
3. Texas Heart Institute

= Indicates Federal Resources