Heart disease is any condition that reduces the strength and function of the heart muscle and blood vessels. Heart disease is the number one cause of death in the United States.

Learn about two common types of heart disease and their effects below.

Atherosclerosis (ATH er oh skluh ROH sis)	This is a condition that occurs when fatty substances build up in the arteries. These fatty deposits can slow or stop the blood flow. This can be serious if it occurs in the coronary arteries, the arteries that supply oxygen and nutrients to the heart.
High blood pressure	This is a condition in which the blood exerts an unusually high force on the artery walls for a long period of time. When blood pressure is high all the time, the increased force on the blood vessels can damage the blood vessels, heart, kidneys, eyes, and brain. The medical term for high blood pressure is hypertension.
If atherosclerosis and high blood pressure are not treated and under good control, they can lead to two serious, often fatal, results.
Stroke	This condition occurs when the blood flow to the brain is cut off, usually by a blood clot. Damage to the brain can cause loss of speech, vision, memory, or movement in an arm or leg. This can lead to disability and death.
Heart attack	This condition occurs when the blood supply is reduced or cut off to the heart, usually by a blood clot. A heart attack typically occurs over several hours. The victim may experience symptoms such as severe chest pain, sweating, nausea, weakness, and shortness of breath. The longer a portion of the heart is without oxygen and nutrient, the more heart muscle tissue dies.

Preventing a Heart Attack
You can reduce your risk of having a heart attack by adopting a healthy lifestyle. This means that you need to exercise regularly, eat healthy meals and snacks, and see your doctor on a regular basis.