Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the US — here's how to prevent and treat the condition
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), about 647,000 Americans die from heart disease a year — a total of one in every four deaths — making it the leading cause of death in the US.
Heart disease encompasses a range of heart health problems. For example, you may know someone who has had a heart attack, but this is just one of many types of heart disease. Most of the time, heart disease does not display obvious symptoms, which can make it difficult to recognize.
But with routine doctor visits, you can understand your risk for heart disease and work to prevent serious health complications. Here's what you should know.
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Types of heart disease
Heart disease refers to a group of conditions that directly affect the heart muscle, or the surrounding arteries, which supply the heart with blood. Multiple types of heart disease can occur together, and having one can increase your risk for developing another.
Arrhythmia
An arrhythmia is when there are irregularities with your heart rate or rhythm. Your heart rate is controlled by the sinus node — a group of cells located on top of your heart that send electrical signals to keep the heart beating properly.
Usually, a normal resting heart rate is around 60 bpm to 100 bpm. If it's consistently higher or lower, it may indicate that your heart's electrical system is malfunctioning.
These are the two main types of arrhythmias:
- Tachycardia. This is when your heart beats too fast. It is characterized by a resting heart rate of 100 bpm or more. Atrial fibrillation, or AFib, is the most common type, and according to the CDC, about 2.7 to 6.1 million US adults have it.
- Bradycardia. This is when your heart beats too slowly. It is characterized by a resting heart rate of 50 bpm or less. However, in some cases, bradycardia can be a sign of good health, as elite athletes often have resting heart rates as low as 40 bpm.
Coronary heart disease
Coronary heart disease, also known as ischemic heart disease, is when your coronary arteries become damaged over time. It is the most common type of heart disease, and according to the CDC, it led to more than 365,000 deaths in 2017.
Usually, the coronary arteries bring blood to your heart, providing it with oxygen and vital nutrients. But coronary heart disease occurs when cholesterol builds up and narrows these arteries — a process called atherosclerosis — and blocks blood flow to the heart.
Heart attack
A heart attack, or myocardial infarction, occurs when blood flow to the heart is interrupted, damaging the heart muscle. According to the CDC, someone has a heart attack every 40 seconds in the US.
About 14% of heart attacks are fatal. Heart attacks are typically not as dangerous as cardiac arrest, which are fatal 89% of the time. Read more about the difference between a heart attack and cardiac arrest here.
There are often clear signs of a heart attack, such as:
- Oppressive discomfort or heaviness in the chest, often in the center
- This chest discomfort is usually paired with pain in the neck, throat, jaw, or left arm
While anyone can feel these main symptoms of a heart attack, women may be more likely to feel other, more subtle symptoms. This chart breaks down the difference in heart attacks signs for males and females: