Cardiovascular disease (CVD) — including heart disease, stroke, and high blood pressure — is the number one killer of men and women in the United States.
- Heart disease is a term that includes several more specific heart conditions.
- The most common heart disease in the United States is coronary heart disease, which can lead to heart attack.
Know Your Risk!
Risk factors for heart disease and stroke include:
- High blood pressure, cholesterol and glucose levels
- Smoking
- Inadequate intake of fruits and vegetables
- Overweight and obesity
- Physical inactivity
Taken together, these major risk factors account for around 80% of deaths from heart disease and stroke. The only way to know your level of risk is to be assessed by a healthcare professional and to be checked for factors such as your blood pressure, cholesterol and glucose levels, waist measurement and BMI. Once you know your overall risk, agree with your health care professional on a plan for specific actions you should take to reduce your risk for heart disease and stroke.
You also may be interested in...
Showing results 1 - 15
Page 1 of 2
Article
2/10/2017
![Navy Hospital Corpsman 3rd Class Joshua Lazenby, a respiratory technician at Naval Hospital Jacksonville, Internal Medicine, administers a pulmonary function test to Joy Davis. A pulmonary function test measures how well the lungs add oxygen and remove carbon dioxide from the blood. February is American Heart Month; spread the word about stopping this deadly disease and encourage people to live heart-healthy lives. (U.S. Navy photo by Jacob Sippel)](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20170214001642im_/http://www.health.mil/~/media/MHS/Photos/heart%20disease.ashx?h=71&la=en&mw=120&w=120)
Common conditions leading to heart disease may improve with healthy lifestyle changes
Recommended Content:
Heart Health
Article
2/8/2017
![Navy Medicine East logo](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20170214001642im_/http://www.health.mil/~/media/MHS/Photos/Navy%20Med%20East.ashx?h=71&la=en&mw=120&w=120)
Navy Medicine East is encouraging Sailors, Marines and their families to make healthier choices throughout the year
Recommended Content:
Heart Health
Article
2/1/2017
![February is Heart Health Month](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20170214001642im_/http://www.health.mil/~/media/MHS/Photos/HHM.ashx?h=71&la=en&mw=120&w=120)
To take care of your heart, physical activity, smarter nutritional diet choices and mindfulness are three key actions everyone can take
Recommended Content:
Heart Health
Article
1/31/2017
![Wear Red Feb. 3 to raise heart health awareness](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20170214001642im_/http://www.health.mil/~/media/MHS/Photos/WearRed02017.ashx?h=71&la=en&mw=120&w=120)
Women die from heart disease in greater numbers than any other cause; National Wear Red Day looks to draw attention to that fact and what everyone can do to help change things
Recommended Content:
Women's Health | Heart Health
Infographic
6/8/2016
![infographic about heart disease and its effect on service members](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20170214001642im_/http://www.health.mil/~/media/MHS/Infographics/Cardiovascularinfographicmenshealth.ashx?h=88&la=en&mw=120&w=120)
Cardiovascular disease comprises disorders of the heart and circulatory system including coronary heart disease and cerebrovascular disease. This infographic provides data on the risk factors for cardiovascular disease among military members base on diagnostic codes in the electronic health records of service members during a 10-year surveillance period.
Recommended Content:
Men's Health | Heart Health
Article
2/26/2016
![Airmen and Soldiers practice breathing and relaxation during their off duty time in a deployed location. Stress can take its toll on your mental and physical health, including your heart health, but there are breathing techniques to buffer yourself from it. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Lance Cheung)](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20170214001642im_/http://www.health.mil/~/media/MHS/Photos/Breathe%20tech.ashx?h=71&la=en&mw=120&w=120)
Stress can take its toll on your heart health, but there are breathing techniques to buffer yourself from it
Recommended Content:
Heart Health | Operation Live Well
Article
2/25/2016
![A blue 3D drawing of a human heart with large red blood cells flowing out](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20170214001642im_/http://www.health.mil/~/media/MHS/Photos/Improving%20Heart%20Health.ashx?h=71&la=en&mw=120&w=120)
When it comes to having a healthy heart, Army Lt. Col. (Dr.) Eugene Soh, says there are different means of preventing cardiac related diseases, as well as some simple steps, that can greatly reduce the chances of a cardiac event.
Recommended Content:
Nutrition | Public Health | Heart Health
Infographic
2/22/2016
![ABC's of Heart Health Infographic](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20170214001642im_/http://www.health.mil/~/media/MHS/Infographics/MHS_Heart_Health_4.ashx?h=105&la=en&mw=120&w=120)
Bring awareness to the risks of heart disease and ways to stay heart healthy.
Recommended Content:
Heart Health
Article
2/22/2016
![Navy Hospital Corpsman 1st Class Harvey Canto measures medication in the pharmacy. In many patients, when diet and exercise are not enough to sufficiently improve blood pressure and cholesterol values, prescription medications have been proven to save lives. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Lacordrick Wilson)](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20170214001642im_/http://www.health.mil/~/media/MHS/Photos/Healthy%20hearts%20part%204.ashx?h=71&la=en&mw=120&w=120)
During February, the Military Health System recognizes the need for good heart health. In the fourth part in our series, we discuss those factors that people can’t control by themselves.
Recommended Content:
Heart Health | Preventive Health
Infographic
2/16/2016
![Infographic for Heart Health Month about Regular Checkups](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20170214001642im_/http://www.health.mil/~/media/MHS/Infographics/MHS_Heart_Health_2.ashx?h=105&la=en&mw=120&w=120)
Take Charge of Your Heart Health with Regular Checkups
Recommended Content:
Heart Health
Article
2/16/2016
![Boatswain's Mate 3rd Class Megumi Gudino (left) and Seaman Brian Holst (right) both attached to the U.S. 7th Fleet flagship, USS Blue Ridge, run on the main deck during sunset. The National Institutes of Health recommends at least 75 minutes of vigorous aerobic exercise per week or 150 minutes per week of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Jordan Kirk Johnson)](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20170214001642im_/http://www.health.mil/~/media/MHS/Photos/Healthy%20hearts%20diet%20and%20exercise.ashx?h=71&la=en&mw=120&w=120)
During February, the Military Health System recognizes the need for good heart health. In the third article in our series, a healthy diet and regular exercise are explored in how each affects the heart’s health.
Recommended Content:
Heart Health | Nutrition | Physical Activity
Showing results 1 - 15
Page 1 of 2