February is American Heart Month

Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the U.S. The more risk factors you have, the greater your chance of developing coronary heart disease. Heart disease affects people of all ethnicities and backgrounds. Although it’s one of the leading causes of death, it’s also one of the most preventable diseases.

Signs and Symptoms

• Chest discomfort in the center of the chest, possibly feeling uncomfortable pressure, squeezing, fullness, or pain
• Upper body discomfort in one or both arms, the back, neck, stomach, or jaw
• Shortness of breath with or without chest discomfort
• Other signs include nausea, lightheadedness, or breaking out in a cold sweat

Risk Factors

• Age—Adults 65 and older account for 82 percent of people who die of coronary heart disease
• Gender — Men have a greater risk of having a heart attack than women and have attacks at an earlier age. Women’s death rate from heart disease increases after menopause (and is the leading cause of death for American women), but the death rate is not as high as for men
• Heredity—Children whose parents have heart disease have more a chance of developing it themselves. African Americans tend to have higher blood pressure than Caucasians and have a higher rate of heart disease.
• Tobacco smoke
• High blood cholesterol
• Physical inactivity
• Obesity and overweight
• Diabetes
• Stress
• Too much alcohol

Resources

• American Heart Association, 1 Union Street, Suite 301, Robbinsville, NJ, 08691, (609) 208-0020
• American Heart Association, www.americanheart.org

Download our full Community Resource Bulletin by clicking here.