Heart Disease

Frequently Asked Questions

By Matthew Elton

What is heart disease?

Heart disease can be any physical disorder affecting the heart, such as valvular heartdisease, where one or more of the heart’s valves is damaged, or cardiomyopathy, wherethe heart itself is infected with a disease.

What causes heart disease?

There are many factors contributing to the cause of heart disease, however, the two mostcommon are high blood pressure and high cholesterol is often a cause of heart disease.

What can be done to prevent heart disease?

Heart disease is not entirely preventable, since it is often hereditary (passed down fromgeneration to generation). However, keeping your cholesterol levels low and your blood pressure low will greatly decrease your risk of heart disease. To do this, exerciseregularly and eat a healthy diet. Avoid smoking and drugs.

If others in my family have heart disease, does that mean that I will have it also?

Not necessarily. It is possible for you to avoid heart disease by living a healthy lifestyle.However, if your parents or grandparents have heart disease, it could be a sign that heartdisease runs in your family, which could mean that you are at a greater risk for gettingheart disease.

How many people die of heart disease?

In the United States, heart disease kills more people than anything else. One out of everythree people dies of heart disease.

How do I know if I have heart disease?

Have your doctor check your blood pressure and cholesterol levels. If you have had aheart attack, it may have been caused by heart disease. High blood pressure, highcholesterol, and heart attack are all warning signs of heart disease.