Heart Disease Home > Heart Disease Information

Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States. But what is it, exactly? Heart disease refers to diseases that only occur in the heart and the blood vessel system within it. It is caused by plaque buildup in the arteries and may lead to symptoms such as angina (chest pain), abnormal heartbeats, or heart attack. Over time, heart disease can also weaken the heart muscle and contribute to heart failure and arrhythmias.

 

There is currently no cure for heart disease. However, the condition can often be controlled through lifestyle changes (such as losing weight or quitting smoking) and possibly taking certain medications.