General Overview

Heart disease is a leading cause of death in the United States. There are many different types of heart disease—some are congenital (people are born with them) and others develop over the course of time and affect people later in life.

InDepth

Read our in-depth reports on various types of heart disease:

Preventing Heart Disease

Rerun image Lowering heart disease risk is more than just lowering your cholesterol number

Focusing on your cholesterol numbers is a small part of achieving the real goal. Beyond the numbers, there are other risk factors that you need to be aware of.

Brush your teeth: it's good for your heart

When bacteria from your gums get into your blood, it can spell trouble for your heart. How can you protect your gums and your heart from disease?

Tips for reducing stress in your life

Many people feel stress often; some even feel it as a part of their daily lives. Stress has been implicated as a possible cause of—or at least exacerbating some of the symptoms of—numerous conditions, including coronary artery disease.

Preventing Heart Disease (Continued)

Reducing your risk of heart disease when you have diabetes

New studies indicate that, because diabetes can cause damage to the heart and blood vessels, controlling cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors is equally important as controlling blood glucose.

Sizzling ways to stop smoking

Quitting smoking is one of the most daunting challenges you'll face in your life. It's an addiction that is both physical and psychological, but quitting smoking can be done.

Weight loss: what are your options?

Being overweight is closely linked to many very serious health conditions, most particularly risk factors for heart disease and stroke. Fortunately, even modest reductions in weight can help improve these conditions.

Heart Disease Videos and Animations

Special Topics

Why it is important to quit smoking if you have heart failure

If you have heart failure and you smoke, read on to find out just how important it is to quit today!

Cardiac arrest in healthy, young athletes

Learn what sudden cardiac arrest is, what the causes are, and why young athletes are at risk.

The immune system and organ transplant: what you should know

Thousands of people undergo organ transplant surgery each year and get a second chance to lead healthy lives. But, what medical steps are taken to make sure that the immune system does not reject the organ?

True or False?

True or false: eating dark chocolate can lower your risk of cancer and cardiovascular disease

"Chocolate is good for you” sounds like an obvious entry in the “too good to be true” hall of fame. But a significant body of evidence supports this statement. So chocolate lovers can indulge their cravings—to a point—without too much guilt.