speech on heart disease

All about the heart

Get to know your heart a bit better with insightful talks on this powerful, life-sustaining organ.

The single biggest health threat women face

How I repaired my own heart

Could tissue engineering mean personalized medicine?

How to make stress your friend

Could the sun be good for your heart?

Save lives from heart disease with a tax-deductible donation today

The 12 most common heart and cardiovascular conditions and what you can do about them

Heart and cardiovascular conditions can be life-changing. Understand the impact of these common conditions, and find out what you can do about them.

Heart and cardiovascular conditions are among the most common in the world.

The umbrella term cardiovascular disease (CVD) refers to all the diseases of the cardiovascular system – which consists of the heart and all the blood vessels in the body.

CVD is the lead­ing cause of death glob­al­ly. Every year, an esti­mat­ed 17 . 9 mil­lion lives are lost to  CVD .

The most common types of heart conditions

Arrhythmia (irregular heartbeat).

An arrhythmia is a type of heart condition where the heart rhythm is not steady. Instead, the heart may feel as though it were skipping a beat, have extra heartbeats every now and then, flutter or race, or beat faster or slower than normal.

There are many types of arrhythmias, varying in severity and danger. Atrial fibrillation is the most common type. In general, the type of arrhythmia can be categorised by the speed of the heart rate. A normal resting heart rate is regular, with a rate usually between 60 to 100 beats per minute.

Problems with the heart’s rhythm can occur when there is any interruption to the electrical signals that stimulate the heart’s pumping activity. Things that can cause an arrhythmia include other heart conditions such as heart attack or damage from a previous heart attack, heart disease , structural changes in the heart, problems with the thyroid gland, and certain medications and supplements.

• Find out more about arrhythmia and irregular heartbeat

Atherosclerosis

Atherosclerosis is the main underlying cause of CVD. It is a disease in which plaques consisting of fat, cholesterol, calcium and other substances build up in the walls of arteries. Over time, the plaques harden, narrowing the opening of the arteries and restricting blood flow. These atherosclerotic plaques can break, forming a blood clot ( thrombosis ) that can further limit, or even block the flow of blood throughout the body.

Atherosclerosis can occur in arteries anywhere in the body but is most serious when it occurs in an artery leading to important organs like the heart and brain , as it can lead to a reduced or blocked blood supply.

If atherosclerosis occurs in one of the arteries that supply blood to the heart, it can cause a heart attack . If thrombosis occurs in one of the arteries to the brain, it causes a stroke . If it occurs in arteries in the limbs, it can lead to peripheral artery disease .

• Find out more about atherosclerosis, its causes and risk factors

The stages of atherosclerosis

Atrial fibrillation

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common type of arrhythmia where the heart beats in a rapid, irregular way, due to a problem in the heart’s chambers. It may not cause any symptoms, or the symptoms may only occur some of the time. It can remain undetected for long periods of time.

While AF is not dangerous in itself, it is important to screen for it and treat it because it increases the risk of other conditions, such as heart failure and stroke . In AF, blood circulates in the heart in an abnormal way, so there is a tendency for thrombosis to occur and blood clots to develop. These clots can break off and travel around the body in the bloodstream. If a clot blocks a brain artery, this can cause a stroke .

• Find out more about atrial fibrillation and how you can screen yourself for it

Cardiac arrest

A cardiac arrest (also known as sudden cardiac arrest) is when the heart suddenly stops beating. This results in the stoppage of blood flow to the brain and other vital organs, and the sufferer loses consciousness and stops breathing normally.

A cardiac arrest and a heart attack are sometimes used interchangeably, but while both are medical emergencies and can be fatal without immediate treatment, they are not the same.

A heart attack occurs when a blockage stops blood flow to the heart. A cardiac arrest usually occurs when there is a malfunction in the heart’s electrical system that causes the heart to stop beating properly. A cardiac arrest can also be caused by events such as trauma, major blood loss, severe lack of oxygen, electrocution, drowning, allergic reactions and drug overdose. Sometimes the cause of a cardiac arrest cannot be identified.

• Find out more about cardiac arrest and how to spot the signs

Congenital heart disease

Congenital heart disease (CHD) is a general term for problems with the heart’s structure that are present from birth. It is also known as congenital heart defect, and it is the most common type of birth defect. It can affect blood flow to the heart and around the body.

There are many different types of CHD, and they can range from simple to complex. CHDs include septal defects (holes in the heart), problems with the blood vessels or heart valves, and single ventricle defects. CHDs can also occur in combination, such as tetralogy of Fallot – a critical CHD where there is a rare combination of four defects of the heart and its blood vessels.

Some CHDs require treatment soon after birth, while some require no treatment. CHDs can have lasting impact, so most people with CHD will need to monitor their heart condition and health in the long term. Regular monitoring as an adult is crucial, as additional treatment or intervention may be needed that was not necessary during childhood. Without proper care, adults with CHD are at increased risk for health concerns such as reduced capacity for exercise, irregular heartbeat and heart failure .

• Find out more about congenital heart disease and the latest research

Coronary heart disease

Coronary heart disease is a common condition where the major blood vessels to the heart – the coronary arteries – become blocked and narrowed, restricting the flow of blood to the heart. Coronary heart disease is also known as coronary artery disease.

The main underlying cause of coronary heart disease is atherosclerosis . This is the process by which fat, cholesterol and other substances build up and form plaque in the arteries . If this occurs in the coronary arteries, the plaque can form a blood clot ( thrombosis ) that restricts the flow of oxygen-rich blood to the heart. Without enough oxygen, the heart cannot function properly, and chest pain (angina) may result. If a blood clot blocks or stops the flow of blood to the heart, it can cause a heart attack .

Coronary heart disease often develops over time. Fatty deposits may develop in the arteries in earlier years and then thicken and build up as the person ages.

The coronary arteries that are affected by coronary heart disease

• Find out more about coronary heart disease and how to prevent it

Diabetes is a condition in which the body cannot maintain healthy blood glucose levels. Insulin, the hormone which regulates these levels, is no longer produced or is not produced in sufficient amounts by the body. Diabetes requires daily management, and it can have a significant impact on quality of life and health, including increased risk of CVD , heart attack , stroke and blindness.

There are three main types of diabetes: gestational diabetes, type 1 diabetes and type 2 diabetes, plus a stage before diabetes called pre-diabetes.

• Gestational diabetes occurs during pregnancy. The body cannot cope with the extra demand for insulin production, resulting in higher than normal blood glucose levels.
• Type 1 diabetes is an auto-immune condition in which the pancreas produces little or no insulin. Those affected need to take insulin every day.
• Type 2 diabetes occurs when the body becomes resistant to the normal effects of insulin and/or gradually becomes unable to produce enough insulin.
• Pre-diabetes occurs when blood sugar levels are higher than the normal range, but not enough to be considered diabetes. People with pre-diabetes are at higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes and CVD later in life.
• Find out more about diabetes and its signs and symptoms

Heart attack

Heart attack , also known as myocardial infarction, occurs when the heart is deprived of oxygen due to a blocked artery.

When a coronary artery is blocked, the blood flow to the heart is restricted or stopped, reducing the amount of oxygen that the heart receives. Without oxygen, the heart muscle can start to die, and the longer that the blockage remains untreated, the greater the damage to the heart. Without treatment to restore blood flow, the heart can be permanently damaged.

The most common cause of heart attack is coronary heart disease (coronary artery disease), where the blood vessels that supply blood to the heart are blocked by a build-up of fat, cholesterol and other substances that form plaque in the arteries , in a process known as atherosclerosis .

• Find out more about heart attack, its causes and warning signs

Heart failure

Heart failure , also known as congestive heart failure, is when the heart does not function as well as it should in pumping blood and oxygen around the body. This can damage the organs and cause extra fluid to build up in the body.

Heart failure occurs when the heart muscle becomes too weak to effectively pump blood around the body. It is a long-term condition that usually develops slowly and gets progressively worse (chronic heart failure), although it can occur suddenly. It often develops after other conditions have weakened or damaged the heart, such as coronary heart disease , heart attack and high blood pressure .

A “stiff” type of heart failure called heart failure preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF), where the heart cannot relax properly, is the most common type.

• Find out more about heart failure and the different types

In heart failure, the heart muscle may become damaged and weak, and unable to pump enough blood around the body.

High blood pressure

High blood pressure is very common, with one in three Australian adults living with it.

Also known as hypertension, high blood pressure is when the force of the blood against the artery walls is higher than normal for an extended period of time or the long term. This puts a strain on the arteries, and the heart also has to work harder to keep blood circulating around the body.

High blood pressure is a cause for concern because it can damage the arteries over the long term and is a major risk factor for CVD. It can also cause damage to important organs in the body, such as the brain and kidneys. It’s important to regularly check blood pressure levels so that high levels can be appropriately managed.

• Find out more about high blood pressure and how to measure it

Preeclampsia

Preeclampsia is a serious condition where high blood pressure occurs during pregnancy and the postpartum period. It affects both the mother and unborn baby, and can lead to maternal and infant death. It generally develops after 20 weeks of pregnancy, although it can develop at any time during the second half of the pregnancy. It is more common in first pregnancies, but it is the most common serious medical complication of pregnancy, affecting one in every 10 women during pregnancy.

If untreated, preeclampsia can lead to serious complications, such as convulsions, kidney or liver failure, and blood clotting problems. In severe cases, preeclampsia can lead to death of the mother or baby. In some cases, the baby needs to be delivered early. Preeclampsia also increases the risk of the mother developing CVD in the future.

Preeclampsia usually resolves after the mother gives birth, and her blood pressure usually returns to normal.

• Find out more about preeclampsia and how to manage it

Stroke is a leading cause of disability worldwide. It occurs when the blood supply to the brain is suddenly cut off, such as through the blockage or rupture of an artery. If brain cells and tissue do not get enough blood supply, they become damaged and die. Early treatment for stroke is critical – the longer a stroke remains untreated, the greater the chance of stroke-related brain damage.

There are two main types of stroke: ischaemic and haemorrhagic. An ischaemic stroke is when blood flow to the brain is interrupted, such as when a blood clot blocks a brain artery. A haemorrhagic stroke is when a blood vessel or artery in the brain bursts, leaking blood into the brain. Both types of stroke share the same possible signs, symptoms and effects.

• Find out more about stroke and its signs and symptoms

How to identify and manage heart and cardiovascular conditions

Different heart and cardiovascular conditions will show different symptoms and be treated or managed in varying ways. It is important to speak to a healthcare professional if you experience symptoms that concern you or have any other concerns about your heart health.

Arrhythmia (irregular heartbeat) symptoms

It is normal for a person to have heart palpitations or a fast or slow heart rate according to their activity and stress levels at the time, but speak to your doctor if the symptoms are ongoing or if you are concerned.

Symptoms of an arrhythmia like atrial fibrillation include:

• fluttering in the chest
• persistent palpitations that feel like pounding
• racing heartbeat
• slow heartbeat
• skipped heartbeats
• shortness of breath.

It you notice signs and symptoms of irregular heartbeat, speak to your doctor to have a check-up.

Treatment will depend on the specific type of irregular heartbeat, its cause, as well as other existing medical conditions. Not all irregular heart rhythms are dangerous or require treatment. Your doctor will determine the treatment plan that will suit your specific situation. This may include medication, medical devices, defibrillation, surgery or lifestyle changes.

Atherosclerosis usually does not cause symptoms until it is at an advanced stage, when the narrowing of arteries becomes so severe that blood flow to the organs and tissues is interrupted or blocked, and CVD has developed. If atherosclerotic plaque that builds up during atherosclerosis breaks and forms a blood clot , it can trigger a heart attack or stroke .

Within the body, a “fatty streak” is the first visible sign of atherosclerosis and indicates the beginning of plaque formation. This fatty streak slowly gets bigger and forms into a larger piece of plaque.

The symptoms experienced during atherosclerosis when it has progressed depend on which arteries are affected. For example, if a coronary artery is affected, chest pain or pressure may be experienced. If a carotid artery to the brain is affected, there may be symptoms of a stroke, such as sudden weakness or numbness in arms or legs, slurred speech or difficulty speaking, temporary vision loss in an eye, or drooping face muscles.

To diagnose atherosclerosis, your doctor may take a complete family and personal medical history and also conduct a physical exam. They may conduct blood tests, angiograms and computerised tomography scans.

Atrial fibrillation (AF) may not cause any symptoms, or the symptoms may only occur some of the time. AF can remain undetected for long periods of time, which is why it is so important to screen for AF .

Common symptoms of AF include:

• heart palpitations
• racing or ‘fluttering’ heartbeat
• irregular heartbeat , which can be detected by checking the pulse
• pain or discomfort in the chest (angina)
• breathlessness, especially during activity
• dizziness and light-headedness
• tiredness and weakness.

While only your doctor can diagnose AF, you can keep an eye on your heart health by regularly checking your pulse. Keeping a record will help you notice if there is anything different or unusual with your results. Once AF has been diagnosed, medication and other treatments may be prescribed.

The difference between a normal heartbeat and the irregular heartbeat felt in atrial fibrillation

Cardiac arrest usually happens suddenly and without warning. The risk of cardiac arrest increases with age, and men are at higher risk than women. The person suffering cardiac arrest will:

• suddenly collapse
• lose consciousness
• have no pulse
• stop breathing or will be breathing abnormally, such as gasping for air.

Sometimes cardiac arrest can be preceded by other signs and symptoms that are similar to the signs and symptoms of heart attack . These include:

• chest discomfort
• shortness of breath

Call 000 straight away if you suspect a cardiac arrest. Without immediate treatment, cardiac arrest can lead to death. In some cases, cardiac arrest can be reversed if treated immediately.

Immediate treatment for a cardiac arrest until more advanced emergency treatment is available includes performing cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) . If a defibrillator or automated external defibrillator (AED) are available, they can also be used to improve chances of survival.

Congenital heart disease (CHD)

Congenital heart defects in CHD occur when the heart does not develop normally while the baby is in the womb. There is no known reason for CHD in most cases, although a combination of genetic and environmental factors in thought to play a part, as well as family history.

Some CHDs can be diagnosed during pregnancy, if an ultrasound scan of the baby in the womb indicates signs of CHD. In these cases, specialist ultrasounds may be carried out to confirm the exact diagnosis. These may also be done if there is a family history of CHD or an increased risk. Not all CHDs can be detected this way, particularly mild ones.

Some CHDs are not detected until after the baby is born, such as if the newborn displays signs of CHD like bluish skin. Other CHDs may not be diagnosed until the child is older, even as late as adulthood.

There is no known way to prevent or cure CHD, although there are treatments available that will depend on the type and severity of the defect.

The majority of mild CHDs, such as small holes in the heart that repair themselves over time, do not need any treatment. In some cases, medications may be used to relieve symptoms, improve how the heart works and treat any side effects of the CHD.

In more serious CHD cases, heart surgery may be required, with complex cases potentially requiring many surgeries over many years.

The symptoms of coronary heart disease depend on the severity of the disease. Some people may experience no symptoms, while others may experience mild to severe ones. Symptoms may also become stronger or more frequent as the disease progresses.

Symptoms can come and go, so they may be unrecognised. The common signs and symptoms include chest pain (angina), pain spreading to the arms, shoulder, jaw or neck, shortness of breath and fatigue.

To diagnose coronary heart disease, your doctor may take a complete family and personal medical history, and also conduct a physical exam and medical tests. Tests may include an electrocardiogram (ECG), stress test and imaging scans.

There is no cure for coronary heart disease, but there are treatment options and lifestyle changes that can help to manage the symptoms and reduce the risk of further cardiac events, such as heart attack .

Treatment options include medications to decrease blood clotting , help lower blood pressure , and help reduce cholesterol levels . If the disease has progressed such that blood flow to the heart is blocked, surgery may be required to restore blood flow.

Over 50 per cent of type 2 diabetes cases can be prevented or delayed if lifestyle changes are made early enough, so early diagnosis and management or treatment is vitally important.

Symptoms of type 2 diabetes can include the following, although some people may experience no symptoms.

• Frequent or excess thirst
• Passing more urine
• Feeling tired and lacking energy
• Feeling hungry frequently
• Having cuts that heal slowly
• Itching, skin infections
• Blurred vision
• Unexplained weight changes
• Headaches and feeling dizzy

In the early stages, type 2 diabetes can often be managed by eating a healthy diet and getting regular exercise . Taking medication or insulin as soon as required can also result in fewer long-term complications.

While a heart attack can be sudden, some people experience symptoms and warning signs hours or even days in advance. A heart attack can only be diagnosed by medical tests. It is important to seek medical help immediately if you suspect a heart attack, as early treatment could mean the difference between life and death. Treatment may involve medications or surgery.

Symptoms can differ between men and women, and they may be experienced alone or in combination. The most common symptoms of a heart attack are:

• chest pain, pressure or an aching sensation in the chest or arms that can spread to the neck, jaw or back
• shortness of breath or breathing difficulties
• nausea or vomiting
• heartburn, indigestion or abdominal pain
• light-headedness or sudden dizziness
• feeling faint or anxious
• cold sweats

Women are more likely to experience symptoms of heart attack unrelated to chest pain, such as:

• discomfort in the neck, jaw, shoulder, upper back or abdomen
• breathlessness and a general feeling of unwellness
• pain, tightness or discomfort in one or both arms
• heartburn or indigestion
• light-headedness or dizziness
• unusual fatigue.

They also tend to have heart attack symptoms more often when resting, or even when asleep, compared to men. Stress can also trigger heart attack symptoms in women.

Heart failure signs and symptoms can vary in severity, and they may come and go. As heart failure worsens over time, more or different signs or symptoms may present themselves.

A key symptom of heart failure is difficulty breathing or shortness of breath. A person suffering this symptom may:

• find physical activity difficult
• wake up in the night due to difficulty breathing
• find it uncomfortable to lie flat, as this can affect the ability to breathe normally.

It is important to seek emergency treatment if any of the following symptoms are experienced. These signs may be due to heart failure, but they can also indicate other serious conditions:

• fainting or severe weakness
• sudden shortness of breath with coughed-up mucus
• a rapid or irregular heartbeat accompanied by chest pain, shortness of breath or fainting.

To diagnose heart failure, your doctor will assess your symptoms, take your medical and family history, and perform a physical examination that may include medical and screening tests such as an echocardiogram, chest x-ray and exercise stress test. These tests can confirm a diagnosis of heart failure and identify the type.

There is no cure for heart failure and it cannot be reversed, making the ongoing research by HRI investigating new therapeutic strategies for stiff heart failure critical.

High blood pressure is often called a “silent killer” because most people with the condition experience no symptoms. Almost 50 per cent of adults who have high blood pressure are unaware that they have it. This is why it is important to regularly check your blood pressure and know the measurements that are normal for you.

Symptoms of high blood pressure, if they do occur, can include:

• irregular heartbeat
• headaches in the early morning
• changes in vision
• buzzing in the ears.

More serious symptoms may present in severe high blood pressure, such as:

• muscle tremors

If your blood pressure is higher than normal, or you have other risk factors for cardiovascular disease, it is important to keep an eye on your levels and have them checked more frequently. Your doctor can advise you for your individual circumstances.

The defining sign of preeclampsia is high blood pressure and high levels of protein in the urine, although these may not show immediately noticeable signs. The severity of preeclampsia is determined by the level of blood pressure.

In the initial stages of preeclampsia, most women with the condition feel normal and have no obvious symptoms. The first signs of preeclampsia are often detected during routine prenatal visits, which is why regular check-ups during pregnancy that include blood pressure checks are so important.

Early signs and symptoms of preeclampsia include:

• a sudden rise in blood pressure so that levels exceed the initial level at the start of pregnancy
• excess protein in the urine, which can be a sign of kidney damage.

When preeclampsia is caught early, it can be treated and managed. Treatment can include careful monitoring of blood pressure levels and medications to lower blood pressure and manage complications.

The main treatment and only cure for preeclampsia is a planned pre-term delivery of the baby. In some cases, it is safer for the mother and baby to deliver the baby early than to risk prolonging the pregnancy.

Stroke can cause permanent or temporary disabilities, and in some cases can be fatal. The longer that a stroke remains untreated, the greater the chance of brain damage and lasting complications. The body parts that are controlled by the damaged areas of the brain will be affected and show signs of stroke.

The most common signs and symptoms of stroke are:

• facial weakness
• arm weakness
• difficulty with speech.

The signs and symptoms of stroke may occur alone or in combination. They can last a few seconds or even up to 24 hours and then disappear.

An easy way to recognise and remember the signs of stroke is to use the FAST test. If someone is showing these symptoms, immediately seek emergency medical treatment.

• F ace: Check whether their facial features, such as their mouth, have drooped.
• A rms: Can they lift both arms?
• S peech: Are they having difficulty speaking, eg, slurring their speech? Can they understand you?
• T ime: Time is critical if you see any of the above signs. Call emergency services immediately.

Over 90 per cent of people who have a stroke remain without effective treatment, as the only clinically approved drug to treat ischaemic stroke can be used in only a small percentage of patients due to its severe side effects. To address this urgent need, HRI is conducting a world-first trial of a new anti-clotting drug that could potentially be used in all people who suffer a stroke.

Stroke is a medical emergency – the longer that a stroke remains untreated, the greater the chance of stroke-related brain damage.

How is HRI fighting common heart and cardiovascular conditions?

HRI is investigating new ways to prevent, detect and treat common heart conditions and CVD from a variety of different angles.

Our Atherosclerosis and Vascular Remodelling Group focuses on identifying and gaining insights from the genetic and molecular pathways involved in the build-up of plaque in atherosclerosis . These pathways could be used to improve treatments for atherosclerotic plaque.

Our Cardiovascular-protective Signalling and Drug Discovery Group is investigating how to repurpose existing drugs for next-generation therapies for cardiovascular diseases.

Our Clinical Research Group is conducting research into congenital heart disease (CHD), with a focus on young adults living with CHD. Research conducted by the group includes projects designed to improve quality of life and exercise capacity for people living with CHD; improve health outcomes in CHD for young adults, their families and the health system; and establish a unique National Congenital Heart Disease Registry .

Our Coronary Diseases Group is investigating whether the anti-inflammatory drug colchicine can be repurposed to protect against repeat heart attacks . This drug has already proved safe and effective for treating conditions like arthritis and gout.

Our Heart Rhythm and Stroke Prevention Group is investigating how best to screen at scale for atrial fibrillation (AF) , which is linked to one third of strokes, to prevent as many strokes as possible.

Our Thrombosis Group is focused on the development of safer and more effective therapies to treat CVDs like stroke. The Group is currently conducting a world-first trial of a new anti-clotting stroke drug may be more effective and have fewer serious side effects than current stroke therapies, and that could be used in all stroke patients.

Our Vascular Complications Group aims to understand the pathogenesis of blood vessel disease in diabetes , and using this knowledge, identify new strategies to improve function and reduce the burden of disease.

Our Vascular Immunology Group focuses its research on better understanding preeclampsia and its impact, as well as the development of new drug treatments for preeclampsia. Preventing preeclampsia could help prevent or reduce the risk of future CVD in women .

Support HRI

Today's research is tomorrow's cure., other ways you can help, make a lasting impact with tax-deductible donations, are charity donations tax-deductible, memorial donations: in memory of a loved one, how to leave a gift in your will, major gifts, other ways to give.

Donate today to save lives

Create Free Account or

• Acute Coronary Syndromes
• Anticoagulation Management
• Arrhythmias and Clinical EP
• Cardiac Surgery
• Cardio-Oncology
• Cardiovascular Care Team
• Congenital Heart Disease and Pediatric Cardiology
• COVID-19 Hub
• Diabetes and Cardiometabolic Disease
• Dyslipidemia
• Geriatric Cardiology
• Heart Failure and Cardiomyopathies
• Invasive Cardiovascular Angiography and Intervention
• Noninvasive Imaging
• Pericardial Disease
• Pulmonary Hypertension and Venous Thromboembolism
• Sports and Exercise Cardiology
• Stable Ischemic Heart Disease
• Valvular Heart Disease
• Vascular Medicine
• Clinical Updates & Discoveries
• Advocacy & Policy
• Perspectives & Analysis
• Meeting Coverage
• ACC Member Publications
• ACC Podcasts
• View All Cardiology Updates
• Earn Credit
• View the Education Catalog
• ACC Anywhere: The Cardiology Video Library
• CardioSource Plus for Institutions and Practices
• ECG Drill and Practice
• Heart Songs
• Nuclear Cardiology
• Online Courses
• Collaborative Maintenance Pathway (CMP)
• Understanding MOC
• Image and Slide Gallery
• Annual Scientific Session and Related Events
• Chapter Meetings
• Live Meetings
• Live Meetings - International
• Webinars - Live
• Webinars - OnDemand
• Certificates and Certifications
• ACC Accreditation Services
• ACC Quality Improvement for Institutions Program
• CardioSmart
• National Cardiovascular Data Registry (NCDR)
• Advocacy at the ACC
• Cardiology as a Career Path
• Cardiology Careers
• Cardiovascular Buyers Guide
• Clinical Solutions
• Clinician Well-Being Portal
• Diversity and Inclusion
• Infographics
• Innovation Program
• Mobile and Web Apps

Speaking from the Heart: Could Your Voice Reveal Your Heart Health?

Computer algorithm uses voice recordings to predict coronary artery disease and related events.

Mar 24, 2022

Contact: Nicole Napoli, [email protected], 202-375-6523

Washington (Mar 24, 2022) -

An artificial intelligence (AI)-based computer algorithm accurately predicted a person’s likelihood of suffering heart problems related to clogged arteries based on voice recordings alone, in a study presented at the American College of Cardiology’s 71 st Annual Scientific Session.

Researchers found that people with a high voice biomarker score were 2.6 times more likely to suffer major problems associated with coronary artery disease (CAD), a buildup of plaque in the heart’s arteries, and three times more likely to show evidence of plaque buildup in medical tests compared with those who had a low score. While the technology is not yet ready for use in the clinic, the demonstration suggests voice analysis could be a powerful screening tool in identifying patients who may benefit from closer monitoring for CAD-related events. Researchers said this approach could be particularly useful in remote health care delivery and telehealth.

“Telemedicine is non-invasive, cost-effective and efficient and has become increasingly important during the pandemic,” said Jaskanwal Deep Singh Sara, MD, a cardiology fellow at Mayo Clinic and the study’s lead author. “We’re not suggesting that voice analysis technology would replace doctors or replace existing methods of health care delivery, but we think there’s a huge opportunity for voice technology to act as an adjunct to existing strategies. Providing a voice sample is very intuitive and even enjoyable for patients, and it could become a scalable means for us to enhance patient management.”

The study represents the first time voice analysis has been used to predict CAD outcomes in patients who were tracked prospectively after an initial screening. Previous studies retrospectively examined voice markers associated with CAD and heart failure. Other research groups have explored the use of similar technology for a range of disorders, including Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease and COVID-19.

For the new study, researchers recruited 108 patients who were referred for a coronary angiogram, an  X-ray imaging procedure used to assess the condition of the heart’s arteries. Participants were asked to record three 30-second voice samples using the Vocalis Health smartphone application. For the first sample, participants read from a prepared text. For the second sample, they were asked to speak freely about a positive experience, and for the third, they spoke freely about a negative experience.

The Vocalis Health algorithm then analyzed participants’ voice samples. The AI-based system had been trained to analyze more than 80 features of voice recordings, such as frequency, amplitude, pitch and cadence, based on a training set of over 10,000 voice samples collected in Israel. In previous studies, researchers identified six features that were highly correlated with CAD. For the new study, researchers combined these features into a single score, expressed as a number between -1 and 1 for each individual. One-third of patients were categorized as having a high score and two-thirds had a low score.

“We can’t hear these particular features ourselves,” Sara said. “This technology is using machine learning to quantify something that isn’t easily quantifiable for us using our human brains and our human ears.”

Study participants were tracked for two years. Of those with a high voice biomarker score, 58.3% visited the hospital for chest pain or suffered acute coronary syndrome (a type of major heart problem that includes heart attacks), the study’s composite primary endpoint, compared with 30.6% of those with a low voice biomarker score. Participants with a high voice biomarker score were also more likely to have a positive stress test or be diagnosed with CAD during a subsequent angiogram (the composite secondary endpoint).

Scientists have not concluded why certain voice features seem to be indicative of CAD, but Sara said the autonomic nervous system may play a role. This part of the nervous system regulates bodily functions that are not under conscious control, which includes both the voice box and many aspects of the cardiovascular system, such as heart rate and blood pressure. Therefore, it is possible that the voice could provide clues about how the autonomic nervous system is functioning, and by extension, provide insights into cardiovascular health, Sara said.

The study was conducted with English speakers in the Midwestern U.S. using software trained on voice samples collected in Israel. Sara said more tests are needed to determine whether the approach is generalizable and scalable across languages, countries, cultures and health care settings. He added that it will also be important to address security and privacy issues before incorporating such technology into telemedicine or on-site health assessments.

“It’s definitely an exciting field, but there’s still a lot of work to be done,” Sara said. “We have to know the limitations of the data we have, and we need to conduct more studies in more diverse populations, larger trials and more prospective studies like this one.”

The study was simultaneously published in the Mayo Clinic Proceedings at the time of presentation.

Sara will present the study, “Non-Invasive Voice Biomarker is Associated with Incident Coronary Artery Disease Events at Follow-Up,” on Saturday, April 2, at 1:45 p.m. ET / 17:45 UTC in Poster Hall, Hall C.

ACC.22 will take place April 2-4, 2022, in Washington, DC, bringing together cardiologists and cardiovascular specialists from around the world to share the newest discoveries in treatment and prevention. Follow  @ACCinTouch , @ACCMediaCenter and #ACC22 for the latest news from the meeting.

The American College of Cardiology envisions a world where innovation and knowledge optimize cardiovascular care and outcomes. As the professional home for the entire cardiovascular care team, the mission of the College and its 54,000 members is to transform cardiovascular care and to improve heart health. The ACC bestows credentials upon cardiovascular professionals who meet stringent qualifications and leads in the formation of health policy, standards and guidelines. The College also provides professional medical education, disseminates cardiovascular research through its world-renowned JACC Journals, operates national registries to measure and improve care, and offers cardiovascular accreditation to hospitals and institutions. For more, visit ACC.org .

< Back to Listings

You must be logged in to save to your library.

Jacc journals on acc.org.

• JACC: Advances
• JACC: Basic to Translational Science
• JACC: CardioOncology
• JACC: Cardiovascular Imaging
• JACC: Cardiovascular Interventions
• JACC: Case Reports
• JACC: Clinical Electrophysiology
• JACC: Heart Failure
• Current Members
• Campaign for the Future
• Become a Member
• Renew Your Membership
• Member Benefits and Resources
• Member Sections
• ACC Member Directory
• ACC Innovation Program
• Our Strategic Direction
• Our History
• Our Bylaws and Code of Ethics
• Leadership and Governance
• Annual Report
• Industry Relations
• Support the ACC
• Jobs at the ACC
• Press Releases
• Social Media
• Book Our Conference Center

Clinical Topics

• Chronic Angina
• Congenital Heart Disease and     Pediatric Cardiology
• Diabetes and Cardiometabolic     Disease
• Hypertriglyceridemia
• Invasive Cardiovascular Angiography    and Intervention
• Pulmonary Hypertension and Venous     Thromboembolism

Latest in Cardiology

Education and meetings.

• Online Learning Catalog
• Products and Resources
• Annual Scientific Session

Tools and Practice Support

• Quality Improvement for Institutions
• Accreditation Services
• Practice Solutions

Heart House

• 2400 N St. NW
• Washington , DC 20037
• Contact Member Care
• Phone: 1-202-375-6000
• Toll Free: 1-800-253-4636
• Fax: 1-202-375-6842
• Media Center
• Advertising & Sponsorship Policy
• Clinical Content Disclaimer
• Editorial Board
• Privacy Policy
• Registered User Agreement
• Terms of Service
• Cookie Policy

© 2024 American College of Cardiology Foundation. All rights reserved.

• Type 2 Diabetes
• Heart Disease
• Digestive Health
• Multiple Sclerosis
• Diet & Nutrition
• Supplements
• Health Insurance
• Public Health
• Patient Rights
• Caregivers & Loved Ones
• End of Life Concerns
• Health News
• Thyroid Test Analyzer
• Doctor Discussion Guides
• Hemoglobin A1c Test Analyzer
• Lipid Test Analyzer
• Complete Blood Count (CBC) Analyzer
• What to Buy
• Editorial Process
• Meet Our Medical Expert Board

Symptoms of Heart Disease

Frequent symptoms, by condition, complications, when to see a healthcare provider, when to go to the hospital, frequently asked questions.

• Next in Heart Disease Guide Causes and Risk Factors of Heart Disease

There are many different kinds of  heart disease , and while each can produce its own set of symptoms, there are some key ones that many types share. These frequent symptoms include chest pain or discomfort, palpitations, lightheadedness or dizziness, fainting, fatigue, and shortness of breath. However, sometimes heart disease has no symptoms at all, especially if it's in the early stages.

Here are some of the symptoms most frequently found in many types of heart disease:

Chest Pain or Discomfort

Few symptoms are more alarming than chest pain, and while  many other conditions can cause chest pain , cardiac disease is so common—and so dangerous—that this symptom should never be dismissed or considered insignificant.

Chest pain is an imprecise term. It's often used to describe any pain, pressure, squeezing, choking, numbness, or other discomforts in the chest, neck, or upper abdomen, and it's often also associated with pain in the jaw, head, shoulders, or arms.

Depending on its cause, chest pain may last from less than a second to days or weeks; might occur frequently or rarely; and might occur completely randomly or under predictable circumstances. Sorting through these variations can help your healthcare provider determine the actual cause of your chest discomfort, in particular, whether it represents angina or some other serious problem.

Palpitations

Noticeable differences in your heartbeat, whether that means it's rapid, unusually strong, or irregular, are classified as  palpitations . They are an extremely common symptom of heart disease.

Many people who complain of palpitations describe them either as "skips" in the heartbeat (that is, a pause, often followed by a particularly strong beat) or as periods of rapid and/or irregular heartbeats.

Most people with palpitations have some type of  cardiac arrhythmia , an abnormal heart rhythm. There are many types of arrhythmias, and almost all can cause palpitations. The most common causes of palpitations are  premature atrial complexes (PACs) ,  premature ventricular complexes (PVCs) , episodes of  atrial fibrillation , and episodes of  supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) .

Unfortunately, on occasion, palpitations can signal a more dangerous heart arrhythmia, such as  ventricular tachycardia . Palpitations are more likely to signal a serious cause if they're accompanied by episodes of lightheadedness or dizziness.

Lightheadedness or Dizziness

Episodes of lightheadedness  or  dizziness  can have many causes including  anemia  (low blood count) and other blood disorders; dehydration; viral illnesses; prolonged bed rest; diabetes ;  thyroid disease ; gastrointestinal disturbances; liver disease; kidney disease; vascular disease; neurological disorders;  dysautonomias ; vasovagal episodes;  heart failure ; and cardiac arrhythmias.

Because so many different conditions can produce these symptoms, if you experience episodes of lightheadedness or dizziness, you ought to have a thorough and complete examination by your healthcare provider.

Fatigue, Lethargy, or Daytime Sleepiness

Fatigue, lethargy, and somnolence (daytime sleepiness ) are very common symptoms. Fatigue or lethargy can be thought of as tiredness, exhaustion, or loss of enthusiasm that makes it difficult to function at your normal level. Somnolence implies that you either crave sleep or, worse, that you find yourself suddenly asleep during the daytime, a condition known as narcolepsy .

While fatigue and lethargy can be symptoms of heart disease (particularly heart failure), these common and non-specific symptoms can also be due to disorders of virtually any other organ system in the body. If you suffer from fatigue or lethargy, you need a general medical evaluation in order to begin pinning down a specific cause.

Somnolence is often caused by  nocturnal sleep disorders such as sleep apnea , restless leg syndrome , or insomnia . All these sleep disturbances, however, are more common if you have heart disease.

Dyspnea (Shortness of Breath)

Dyspnea , the medical term for shortness of breath, is most often a symptom of cardiac or pulmonary (lung) disorders. Heart failure and  coronary artery disease  frequently produce shortness of breath among other symptoms . If you have heart failure , you may commonly experience dyspnea with exertion, or  orthopnea , which is dyspnea when lying flat. You may also suddenly wake up at night gasping for breath, a condition known as  paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea . Other cardiac conditions such as  heart valve disease  or  pericardial disease  can produce dyspnea, as can cardiac arrhythmias.

Syncope (Fainting/Loss of Consciousness)

Syncope  is a sudden and temporary loss of consciousness or fainting. It's a common symptom (most people pass out at least once in their lives) and often does not indicate a serious medical problem. However, sometimes syncope indicates a dangerous or even life-threatening condition, so it's important to figure out the cause.

The causes of syncope can be grouped into four major categories: neurologic, metabolic, vasomotor, and cardiac. Of these, only cardiac syncope carries a serious threat of causing  sudden death .   Vasomotor syncope , commonly called vasovagal syncope, is by far the most common cause. It happens when your body reacts to certain triggers such as severe emotional stress or seeing blood or needles. Neurologic and metabolic syncope are relatively rare.

Any loss of consciousness should be evaluated by a healthcare provider.

These are the symptoms that are common to some of the major types of heart disease, including atherosclerotic disease, cardiac arrhythmias, heart valve disease, heart infections, and heart failure.

Atherosclerotic Disease

Atherosclerosis is caused by a buildup of plaque within blood vessels. Symptoms occur when the atherosclerotic plaques restrict blood flow to one or more of the body's vital organs, particularly the heart or the brain. Symptoms of atherosclerosis often include:

• Pain or discomfort in your chest, including tightness or pressure (angina)
• Shortness of breath ( dyspnea )
• Numbness, weakness, coldness, or pain in your legs or arms
• Pain in your neck, jaw, back, upper abdomen, or throat

Cardiac Arrhythmias

While many people with cardiac arrhythmias (abnormal heartbeats) have no symptoms whatsoever, any type of arrhythmia has the potential to produce palpitations, weakness, or lightheadedness.

Other symptoms can include:

• Slow heartbeat (bradycardia)
• Fast heartbeat (tachycardia)
• Pain in your chest
• Shortness of breath
• Feeling dizzy
• Fainting (syncope)

Heart Valve Disease

Symptoms of heart valve disease depend on which of the four valves isn't working right, but they can include:

• Irregular heartbeat
• Swollen feet or ankles

Heart Infections

If you have an infection in your heart, symptoms may include:

• Night sweats
• Swelling in your legs, feet, or abdomen
• Abnormal heartbeat
• Pain in the center or left side of your chest that often gets worse when you lie down or take a deep breath
• A dry cough that may be persistent
• Rash or strange spots
• Weight gain

Heart Failure

Heart failure occurs when the heart becomes unable to pump blood sufficiently to meet the body's needs. It is a consequence of many different types of heart disease. In its early stages heart failure may not produce any symptoms. As it gets worse, the most prominent symptoms are shortness of breath (dyspnea) when exerting yourself and/or when you're resting, becoming easily fatigued, and an irregular heartbeat that may feel fast or like it's pounding.

• Swelling in your legs, ankles, and feet
• Feeling dizzy or lightheaded
• Exercise intolerance

Potential complications of heart disease illustrate the importance of getting treatment and living a healthy lifestyle. They include:

• Heart failure: One of the most common complications of heart disease, heart failure occurs when your heart becomes damaged and weak, leaving it unable to pump your blood the way it should. Heart failure can be the result of many different types of heart disease such as heart attack, coronary artery disease, high blood pressure, congenital heart defects, valve disorders, and heart infections.
• Heart attack:  A blockage in one or more of your coronary arteries can cause a heart attack. Atherosclerotic disease is usually the culprit of this complication.
• Stroke: Also usually caused by atherosclerotic disease, a stroke occurs when the arteries to your brain are blocked and don't allow enough blood flow. This is an emergency because your brain tissue starts to die within minutes of this occurring.
• Sudden cardiac arrest: Often caused by a cardiac arrhythmia (abnormal heartbeat), sudden cardiac arrest happens when your heart stops working, causing you to lose consciousness and stop breathing. If you don't get emergency treatment, it will result in death.

The symptoms most commonly caused by heart disease can also be produced by other medical conditions, from very serious to entirely benign. If you experience any of the above symptoms, you need an evaluation by your healthcare provider to identify the cause. These are symptoms that should never be ignored.

If you have a family history of heart disease or you're worried about your risk for developing it, be sure to talk to your healthcare provider. Staying proactive where your heart health is concerned can help you detect any problems early, giving you a better potential outcome.

Heart Disease Doctor Discussion Guide

Get our printable guide for your next healthcare provider's appointment to help you ask the right questions.

Sign up for our Health Tip of the Day newsletter, and receive daily tips that will help you live your healthiest life.

Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up.

There was an error. Please try again.

You need to seek emergency treatment if you have any of these symptoms:

Chest pain should always be considered a serious symptom because it can indicate an emergency situation. If you're experiencing chest pain and any of these factors apply to you, you should seek emergency care:

• You have a strong family history of early heart disease.
• You're 45 years old or older and you have any of the risk factors for coronary artery disease , including obesity, smoking, family history, diabetes, high cholesterol, or a sedentary lifestyle.
• The pain is worse than any other chest pain you've had.
• The pain feels like it's spreading to your neck, shoulders, upper abdomen, arms, back, or jaws.
• The pain is crushing, tight, heavy, or feels like squeezing.
• You also feel nauseous, fatigued, weak, short of breath, dizzy, sweaty, or you've fainted.
• You feel like something is very wrong.
• The pain keeps getting worse as the minutes pass.
• The pain is unlike anything you've experienced before.

Heart Attack Symptoms

If you have symptoms of a heart attack, be sure to seek emergency medical care. These symptoms include:

• Chest or arm pain, pressure, or discomfort that may spread to your neck, back, or jaw
• Heartburn, indigestion, nausea, or pain in your abdomen
• Breaking out in a cold sweat
• Feeling lightheaded or dizzy

Stroke Symptoms

If you have symptoms of a stroke, you need to seek emergency medical care. These include:

• Difficulty speaking or difficulty understanding someone else when they're speaking
• Numbness or paralysis of your arms, face, or legs, usually on one side of your body
• Visual disturbances such as blurry, black, or double vision in one or both eyes
• Severe headache
• Dizziness and loss of coordination
• Difficulty breathing

If you're with a loved one and suspect he or she is having a stroke, use these measures to help you determine if there's a problem:

• Ask your loved one to smile. If one side of his or her face droops, this can indicate a stroke.
• Ask your loved one to raise both arms. If one arm starts to fall down or he or she can't raise one arm, this is a sign of stroke.
• Have your loved one repeat a sentence back to you. Slurred or unusual speech is another symptom.

Call 911 immediately if any of the above symptoms occur. With a stroke, every minute counts. The longer your loved one goes without blood to his or her brain, the more damage there can be.

Sudden Cardiac Arrest

A sudden cardiac arrest is dramatic, happens fast, and can result in death if it's not treated immediately. If a loved one has these symptoms, call 911 right away:

• Collapsing suddenly
• Not breathing
• Unconscious

Heart disease can often be silent and may not have any noticeable symptoms. In some people, the first sign of heart disease is a heart attack. When warning signs do appear, they may include chest pain or discomfort, heart palpitations, lightheadedness or dizziness, fatigue, and shortness of breath.

In women, heart disease is often overlooked, in part because the symptoms can differ from the typical ones seen in men. While some women have no symptoms, other women experience chest pain; pain in the neck, jaw, or throat; pain in the upper abdomen or back; nausea; vomiting; and fatigue.

National Heart, Blood, and Lung Institute. Heart Attack .

American Heart Association. About Arrhythmia .

American Heart Association. Tachycardia: Fast Heart Rate .

Malik A, Brito D, Chhabra L. Congestive Heart Failure (CHF) . In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing

Koene RJ, Adkisson WO, Benditt DG. Syncope and the risk of sudden cardiac death: Evaluation, management, and prevention . J Arrhythm . 2017;33(6):533-544. doi:10.1016/j.joa.2017.07.005

American Heart Association. Atherosclerosis .

National Heat, Lung, and Blood Institute. Arrhythmia .

American Heart Association. Symptoms of Heart Valve Problems .

National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. Heart Inflammation .

National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. Heart Failure .

American Heart Association.  What Is Cardiovascular Disease?

Cleveland Clinic. Early Signs of a Heart Attack .

American Heart Association. About Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD) .

American Stroke Association. Stroke Symptoms .

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. About heart disease .

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Women and heart disease .

By Richard N. Fogoros, MD Richard N. Fogoros, MD, is a retired professor of medicine and board-certified in internal medicine, clinical cardiology, and clinical electrophysiology.

An official website of the United States government

Here’s how you know

Official websites use .gov A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.

Secure .gov websites use HTTPS A lock ( Lock Locked padlock icon ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

• Health Topics
• Drugs & Supplements
• Medical Tests
• Medical Encyclopedia
• About MedlinePlus
• Customer Support

Heart Diseases

Diagnosis and tests, prevention and risk factors, treatments and therapies, living with, related issues, see, play and learn, health check tools, videos and tutorials, test your knowledge, statistics and research, clinical trials.

• Journal Articles

Reference Desk

Find an expert, older adults, patient handouts, what is heart disease.

Heart disease is a general term that includes many types of heart problems. It's also called cardiovascular disease, which means heart and blood vessel disease.

Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States, but there are ways to prevent and manage many types of heart disease.

What are the types of heart disease?

There are many different types of heart disease. Some you may be born with, called congenital heart disease . Other types develop during your lifetime.

Coronary artery disease (also called coronary heart disease) is the most common type of heart disease. It happens slowly over time when a sticky substance called plaque builds up in the arteries that supply your heart muscle with blood. The plaque narrows or blocks blood flow to the heart muscle and can lead to other heart problems:

• Angina - chest pain from lack of blood flow
• Heart attacks - when part of the heart muscle dies from loss of blood flow
• Heart failure - when your heart can't pump enough blood to meet your body's needs
• Arrhythmia - a problem with the rate or rhythm of your heartbeat

Other types of heart diseases may affect your heart valves or heart muscle ( cardiomyopathy ).

What causes heart diseases?

The causes of heart disease depend on the type of disease. Some possible causes include lifestyle, genetics, infections, medicines, and other diseases.

Who is more likely to develop heart diseases?

There are many different factors that can make you more likely to develop heart disease. Some of these factors you can change, but others you cannot.

• Age. Your risk of heart disease goes up as you get older.
• Sex. Some factors may affect heart disease risk differently in women than in men.
• Family history and genetics. A family history of early heart disease raises your risk of heart disease. And research has shown that some genes are linked to a higher risk of certain heart diseases.
• Race/ethnicity. Certain groups have higher risks than others.
• Eating a diet high in saturated fats , refined carbohydrates, and salt .
• Not getting enough physical activity .
• Drinking too much alcohol .
• Smoking and exposure to secondhand smoke .
• Too much stress .
• High blood pressure .
• High cholesterol levels .
• Autoimmune and inflammatory diseases.
• Chronic kidney disease .
• Metabolic syndrome .

What are the symptoms of heart disease?

Your symptoms will depend on the type of heart disease you have. You may not have symptoms at first. In some cases, you may not know you have heart disease until you have a complication such as a heart attack.

How are heart diseases diagnosed?

To find out if you have heart disease, your health care provider will:

• Ask about your medical history , including your symptoms
• Ask about your family health history , including relatives who have had heart disease
• Do a physical exam
• Likely run heart tests and blood tests

In some cases, your provider may refer you to a cardiologist (a doctor who specializes in heart diseases) for tests, diagnosis, and care.

What are the treatments for heart disease?

Treatment plans for heart disease depend on the type of heart disease you have, how serious your symptoms are, and what other health conditions you have. Possible treatments may include:

• Heart-healthy lifestyle changes
• Procedures or surgeries
• Cardiac rehabilitation

Can heart diseases be prevented?

You may be able to lower your risk of certain heart diseases by making heart-healthy lifestyle changes and managing any other medical conditions you have.

NIH: National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute

• Heart Disease (Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research) Also in Spanish
• What Are Heart Disease and Stroke? (American Heart Association) Also in Spanish

• Heart Disease Risk Factors (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
• Risks for Heart Disease and Stroke (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
• Herbal Supplements and Heart Medicines May Not Mix (Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research) Also in Spanish
• Types of Heart Medications (American Heart Association)
• Medication Adherence: Taking Your Meds as Directed (American Heart Association)
• Medication Management (American Heart Association)
• Air Pollution, Climate, and Heart Disease (American Heart Association)
• All about Heart Rate (Pulse) (American Heart Association)
• Flu and People with Heart Disease or History of Stroke (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) Also in Spanish
• Illegal Drugs and Heart Disease (American Heart Association)
• Inflammation and Heart Disease (American Heart Association)
• Medication Interactions: Food, Supplements, and Other Drugs (American Heart Association)
• Mental Health and Heart Health (American Heart Association)
• People at Higher Risk of Flu Complications (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) Also in Spanish
• Black People, Heart Disease and Stroke (American Heart Association)
• Cardiac Amyloidosis (American Heart Association)
• Cardiac Sarcoidosis (Johns Hopkins Medicine)
• Enlarged Heart (Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research) Also in Spanish
• Left Ventricular Hypertrophy (Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research) Also in Spanish
• Myocardial Bridge (Texas Heart Institute) Also in Spanish
• Myocardial Ischemia (Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research) Also in Spanish
• Top 10 Myths about Cardiovascular Disease (American Heart Association)
• Genetic Testing for Inherited Heart Disease (American Heart Association)
• Heart Palpitations Quiz (Medical Encyclopedia) Also in Spanish
• FastStats: Heart Disease (National Center for Health Statistics)
• Heart Disease and Stroke Statistics (American Heart Association)
• Interactive Atlas of Heart Disease and Stroke (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
• Racial and Ethnic Dispartities in Heart Disease (National Center for Health Statistics) - PDF

Journal Articles References and abstracts from MEDLINE/PubMed (National Library of Medicine)

• Article: Cardiac patients' surgery outcome and associated factors in Ethiopia: application of...
• Article: The Emerging Field of Cardioimmunology: Past, Present and Foreseeable Future.
• Article: CardioHotspots: a database of mutational hotspots for cardiac disorders.
• Heart Diseases -- see more articles
• Heart Anatomy (Texas Heart Institute) Also in Spanish
• Heart Information Center (Texas Heart Institute) Also in Spanish
• American Heart Association
• Find an Interventional Radiologist (Society of Interventional Radiology)
• Commonly Asked Questions about Children and Heart Disease (American Heart Association)
• Heart Disease (For Kids) (Nemours Foundation) Also in Spanish
• Ventricular Assist Device (For Parents) (Nemours Foundation)
• About Men and Heart Disease (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
• Aspirin and heart disease (Medical Encyclopedia) Also in Spanish
• Being active when you have heart disease (Medical Encyclopedia) Also in Spanish
• Electrocardiogram (Medical Encyclopedia) Also in Spanish
• Exercise stress test (Medical Encyclopedia) Also in Spanish
• Heart disease - risk factors (Medical Encyclopedia) Also in Spanish
• Heart disease and depression (Medical Encyclopedia) Also in Spanish
• Understanding cardiovascular disease (Medical Encyclopedia) Also in Spanish
• Warning signs and symptoms of heart disease (Medical Encyclopedia) Also in Spanish

The information on this site should not be used as a substitute for professional medical care or advice. Contact a health care provider if you have questions about your health.

Search Site

• About About
• World Heart Day 2023 World Heart Day 2023
• Our Global Partners Our Global Partners
• Media Media
• What is CVD? What is CVD?
• Risk Factors Risk Factors
• Rare & Neglected CVDs Rare & Neglected CVDs
• Sign the Petition Sign the Petition
• Get Involved Get Involved
• Create a Poster Create a Poster
• World Heart Day Challenge World Heart Day Challenge
• Shine for World Heart Day Shine for World Heart Day
• WHD Stories WHD Stories
• Resources Resources
• Use the Resources Use the Resources

Our goal is to stop the world's biggest killer

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the world’s number one killer. Combined, conditions affecting the heart or blood vessels – such as heart attack, stroke and heart failure – kill more than 20.5 million every year. The majority of these deaths happen in low- and middle-income countries.

We want to bring this number down – way down. And there’s hope: 80% of premature deaths from CVD are preventable. By making small changes to our lifestyle – what we eat and drink, how much we exercise, and how we manage stress – we can better manage our heart health and beat CVD.

World Heart Day is a global, multi-lingual celebration

Spanning six continents, our hundreds of World Heart Federation (WHF) member organizations, the countless schools, universities, sports clubs and the vibrant cardiology community make World Heart Day (WHD) a truly global celebration.

Every year these groups and individuals bring their local flair, favor and colors to festivities, marking the day by sharing heart healthy regional specialties, leading a dance to get the whole community moving, and sharing life-saving lessons far and wide.

World Heart Day Facts

WHD established in partnership with the World Health Organization (WHO) to create a day that would raise awareness and mobilize international action against cardiovascular disease.

WHD becomes an annual event – bringing people together to increase awareness, engage communities, and advocate for universal access to CVD prevention, detection, and treatment.

WHD launches #UseHeart to encourage everyone to think about the many way they can use the biggest and most important muscle in their body.

CAMPAIGN SUPPORT FOR COMPANIES, SCHOOLS, ORGANIZATIONS & CLUBS

Part of the fun of celebrating World Heart Day is making the day your own –deciding how you or your organization wants to contribute to making a real difference. This could be a 5K run for everyone at your company, a heart-healthy menu in the school cafeteria or a CPR class for your sports club. No matter what you decide, you can find help and resources on the World Heart Day website, including a toolkit to make communicating and organizing your event a success.

Big ideas bring World Heart Day to life

We want to stand out on World Heart Day. Every year we make our mark in cities around the world, illuminating iconic and local landmarks red. We’ve also taken to the streets and shared a more permanent message in Barcelona’s Jardins de les 3 Xemeneies grafitti park. This is how we try to make sure we reach hearts of all ages, backgrounds and nationalities. Keep an eye out for events and heart-shaped activations in your neighborhood this World Heart Day!

Take action this world heart day

Sign the petition, download resources, create and share your own poster, take part in the challenge, illuminate a building in red. There are many ways you can make an impact.

In partnership with:

worldheartfederation

Sign up to our newsletter

• © World Heart Federation 2024
• Statutes, Policies & Reports
• Privacy Policy
• Terms & Conditions

Privacy Overview

Health Conditions

Heart Health: Conversation Starters

It can be hard to talk to a family member or friend about making heart-healthy changes, but it’s important. In fact, heart disease is the leading cause of death for both men and women in the United States. 

The good news is there’s a lot people can do to lower their risk of heart disease. Use these tips to start a conversation about heart-healthy changes like quitting smoking or getting more physical activity. 

Start by saying that you care.

You can say:

• “I want you to live a long and healthy life.”
• “I want to help you make healthy changes so you can keep enjoying the things you love to do.”
• “I want to help you get healthy because I care about you.”

Explain that it's possible to prevent heart disease.

Encourage your loved one to take steps that can improve heart health. For example, you can say:

• "Eating healthy is important for heart health. You need a mix of healthy foods — like fruits, vegetables, whole grains, proteins, fat-free or low-fat dairy, and vegetable oils. Why don't we go shopping and cook a healthy meal together?"
• "Getting active is good for your heart. Let's go for a walk after dinner!"
• "Quitting smoking can lower your risk of heart disease. You can get free help by calling 1-800-QUIT-NOW (1-800-784-8669)."

Offer to help.

Ask how you can help:

• “What changes are the hardest for you to make? What can I do to support you?”
• “How can we get healthy together?”
• “You don't have to do this alone. How can I help?”

Content last updated May 22, 2023

Reviewer Information

This content on heart health was adapted from materials from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute and the National Diabetes Education Program.

Reviewed by: Paula T. Einhorn, M.D., M.S. Program Officer National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute National Institutes of Health

For more information on preventing heart disease, check out:

• Heart-Healthy Living
• DASH Eating Plan

You may also be interested in:

Get Your Blood Pressure Checked

Get Your Cholesterol Checked

Keep Your Heart Healthy

The office of disease prevention and health promotion (odphp) cannot attest to the accuracy of a non-federal website..

Linking to a non-federal website does not constitute an endorsement by ODPHP or any of its employees of the sponsors or the information and products presented on the website.

You will be subject to the destination website's privacy policy when you follow the link.

June 30, 2016

The Sound of Your Voice May Diagnose Disease

How you talk could reveal heart disease or concussions, say researchers and companies developing the novel technology

By Rebecca Robbins

PhotoDisc/Getty (MARS)

There’s long been talk in medicine about the need to listen more to the patient voice — and now that mantra is being taken literally.

Academics and entrepreneurs are rushing to develop technology to diagnose and predict everything from manic episodes to heart disease to  concussions based on an unusual source of data: How you talk.

A growing body of evidence suggests that an array of mental and physical conditions can make you slur your words, elongate sounds, or speak in a more nasal tone. They may even make your voice creak or jitter so briefly that it’s not detectable to the human ear. It’s still not absolutely clear that analyzing speech patterns can generate accurate — or useful — diagnoses. But the race is on to try.

On supporting science journalism

If you're enjoying this article, consider supporting our award-winning journalism by subscribing . By purchasing a subscription you are helping to ensure the future of impactful stories about the discoveries and ideas shaping our world today.

The latest player to enter the arena is  Sonde Health , a Boston company  launched Tuesday by the venture capital firm PureTech, based on technology licensed from researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Sonde wants to develop software for consumers that can screen for depression as well as respiratory and cardiovascular conditions.

“Speaking is something that we do naturally every day,” Sonde COO Jim Harper said.

The company will start by analyzing audio clips of patients reading aloud, but aims to develop technology that can extract vocal features without actually having to record the words. The goal, Harper said, is to “move the monitoring into the background and to collect some of that with devices that people already own.”

Sonde will have plenty of competition: IBM is teaming its Watson supercomputer with academic researchers to try to predict from speech patterns whether patients are likely to develop a psychotic disorder. A Berlin  company  has worked on  diagnosing ADHD  with voice recordings. Another Boston company, Cogito, is developing  a voice analysis app that being used by the US Department of Veterans Affairs to monitor the mood of service members; it’s also being tested in patients with bipolar disorder and depression.

Even the Army is interested: Earlier this month, it launched a  partnership  with MIT researchers at the same lab working on the Sonde technology, with the goal of developing an Food and Drug Administration-approved device to detect  brain injury .

The field is so buzzy that some entrepreneurs are rushing right into the consumer market, making bold claims with little clinical evidence. One team raised more than $27,000 on the crowdfunding site  Indiegogo  on the promise to put out an app , slated to launch this summer, that will analyze “voice patterns to help you achieve optimal health and vitality.” (The crowdfunding campaign also referenced plans to gather data on “frequency biomarkers” related to symptoms of cancer.)

But it won’t be easy to make vocal diagnostics clinically useful, cautioned Christian Poellabauer, a computer scientist at the University of Notre Dame who studies biomarkers for neurological conditions. It can be very difficult to isolate the real cause of changes in speech patterns, he said. Recordings must be of high quality to be useful, and that can be costly. And you need lots of data to ensure that correlations are reliable.

Then there’s the issue of cultural differences: While testing voice analysis to diagnose concussions, for instance, Poellabauer’s team found that many young athletes hesitated or changed their tone when  saying the word “hell”  — for reasons that may well have had nothing to do with brain injury.

“Speech is a very, very, complicated mechanism,” Poellabauer said.

Another crucial question: Just how useful the information will be for patients, and whether clinicians will be equipped to help them know what to do with it.

“If you take this app and it says you’re slurring your speech and having a stroke, that could be useful. You go to the hospital immediately. On the other hand, if it says there’s a 38 percent chance you’re going to have a migraine in the next week, I’m not sure that’s so helpful to you. You probably knew that anyway,” said medical ethicist Arthur Caplan of New York University.

Caplan also suggested such technology might be used to predict the likelihood of a patient flying into a rage or losing self-control — and turn those momentary lapses into a pathology. “Where’s the line here between what you want monitored and what you don’t?” he asked.

Critics have also raised privacy concerns, suggesting that voice analysis technology might become so sophisticated that patients could be identified by their cadence and tone, even if their names weren’t attached to the speech sample.

“I don’t think that right now we have the technology to figure out who a person is, just based on their voice alone,” said Cheryl Corcoran, a schizophrenia researcher at Columbia University who has collaborated with IBM Watson. “But that’s technology that may very well exist in the future.”

Meghana Keshavan contributed to this report.

Republished with permission from  STAT . This article  originally appeared  on June 29, 2016.

Heart Failure: Can You Hear Risk in a Patient's Voice?

— speech characteristics picked up in telemedicine tied to mortality, admissions.

by Nicole Lou , Staff Writer, MedPage Today April 1, 2020

Acoustic signals picked up during phone calls may help identify patients with congestive heart failure (CHF) who are at risk of death or hospitalization within months, one group reported.

From telephone conversations recorded between patients and nurses as part of a hospitals' telemedicine service, a vocal fingerprint identified was associated with increased risk of death (23%, 29%, 38%, and 54% across quartiles of implicated vocal features, P <0.001) and hospitalization (54%, 58%, 63%, and 70%, P <0.001) over 20-month follow-up.

On multivariate analysis, each standard deviation increase in vocal biomarker features was tied to increased risk of death (adjusted HR 1.32, 95% CI, 1.24–1.41) and hospitalization (adjusted HR 1.21, 95% CI 1.15-1.28), according to a group led by Elad Maor, MD, PhD, of Sheba Medical Center Hospital-Tel Hashomer in Ramat Gan, Israel.

"While data on the effectiveness and the exact role of telemedicine in heart failure [HF] are conflicting, the vocal biomarker holds the potential to assist in identification of high-risk subjects in areas where access to services such as physical examination, blood tests, and cardiovascular imaging are limited," the group wrote in the Journal of the American Heart Association .

"Our study therefore supports the use of vocal biomarkers, which are noninvasive and can be incorporated to any smartphone or even landline phone, for risk assessment of HF patients in telemedicine settings," the authors concluded.

They suggested that the vagus nerve , which participates in voice production and is critical for autonomic control of the heart, is one possible link between voice and HF.

Phone recordings used for the study came from an Israeli hospital that provides telemedicine services to complex patients with various chronic conditions. A machine learning model was trained on audio recordings from 8,316 non-CHF patients and tested on a separate CHF cohort of 2,267 patients (median age 77, 63% men).

In the end, the vocal biomarker, identified by the machine learning algorithm , incorporated 223 acoustic features extracted from the recordings (all in Hebrew or Russian).

This vocal fingerprint signaled risk of death in all subgroups.

However, those with low estimated glomerular filtration rate had an attenuated association between the biomarker and risk of death ( P =0.001 for interaction), whereas non-obese individuals had significantly more pronounced risk compared to obese peers ( P =0.01 for interaction).

Maor and colleagues acknowledged that their results had unknown generalizability to other populations. Statistical adjustment was also imperfect given that some lab data, New York Heart Association functional class, and echocardiographic ejection fraction were not available for many study participants.

"Lastly, this is an observational study and therefore the consistency of our findings including the validation and incremental prognostic value of the vocal biomarker need to be addressed in future controlled studies," the investigators said.

Nevertheless, voice signal characteristics have been tied to various disorders, including dyslexia, attention deficit hyperactive disorder, and Parkinson's disease, the authors noted.

Maor and colleagues said they had previously linked coronary artery disease to certain vocal characteristics.

Nicole Lou is a reporter for MedPage Today, where she covers cardiology news and other developments in medicine. Follow

Disclosures

Maor is a consultant for Vocalis Health.

Primary Source

Journal of the American Heart Association

Source Reference: Maor E, et al "Vocal biomarker is associated with hospitalization and mortality among heart failure patients" J Am Heart Assoc 2020; DOI: 10.1161/JAHA.119.013359.

• Patient Care & Health Information
• Diseases & Conditions
• Arteriosclerosis / atherosclerosis

Arteriosclerosis and atherosclerosis are sometimes used to mean the same thing, but there's a difference between the two terms.

Arteriosclerosis occurs when the blood vessels that carry oxygen and nutrients from the heart to the rest of the body (arteries) become thick and stiff — sometimes restricting blood flow to the organs and tissues. Healthy arteries are flexible and elastic. But over time, the walls in the arteries can harden, a condition commonly called hardening of the arteries.

Atherosclerosis is a specific type of arteriosclerosis.

Atherosclerosis is the buildup of fats, cholesterol and other substances in and on the artery walls. This buildup is called plaque. The plaque can cause arteries to narrow, blocking blood flow. The plaque can also burst, leading to a blood clot.

Although atherosclerosis is often considered a heart problem, it can affect arteries anywhere in the body. Atherosclerosis can be treated. Healthy lifestyle habits can help prevent atherosclerosis.

Products & Services

• A Book: Mayo Clinic Family Health Book
• Newsletter: Mayo Clinic Health Letter — Digital Edition

Mild atherosclerosis usually doesn't have any symptoms.

Atherosclerosis symptoms usually don't happen until an artery is so narrowed or clogged that it can't supply enough blood to organs and tissues. Sometimes a blood clot completely blocks blood flow. The clot may break apart and can trigger a heart attack or stroke.

Symptoms of moderate to severe atherosclerosis depend on which arteries are affected. For example:

• If you have atherosclerosis in your heart arteries, you may have chest pain or pressure (angina).
• If you have atherosclerosis in the arteries leading to your brain, you may have sudden numbness or weakness in your arms or legs, difficulty speaking or slurred speech, temporary loss of vision in one eye, or drooping muscles in your face. These signal a transient ischemic attack (TIA). Untreated, a TIA can lead to a stroke.
• If you have atherosclerosis in the arteries in your arms and legs, you may have symptoms of peripheral artery disease, such as leg pain when walking (claudication) or decreased blood pressure in an affected limb.
• If you have atherosclerosis in the arteries leading to your kidneys, you may develop high blood pressure or kidney failure.

When to see a doctor

If you think you have atherosclerosis, talk to your health care provider. Also pay attention to early symptoms caused by a lack of blood flow, such as chest pain (angina), leg pain or numbness.

Early diagnosis and treatment can stop atherosclerosis from worsening and prevent a heart attack, stroke or another medical emergency.

There is a problem with information submitted for this request. Review/update the information highlighted below and resubmit the form.

From Mayo Clinic to your inbox

Sign up for free and stay up to date on research advancements, health tips, current health topics, and expertise on managing health. Click here for an email preview.

Error Email field is required

Error Include a valid email address

To provide you with the most relevant and helpful information, and understand which information is beneficial, we may combine your email and website usage information with other information we have about you. If you are a Mayo Clinic patient, this could include protected health information. If we combine this information with your protected health information, we will treat all of that information as protected health information and will only use or disclose that information as set forth in our notice of privacy practices. You may opt-out of email communications at any time by clicking on the unsubscribe link in the e-mail.

Thank you for subscribing!

You'll soon start receiving the latest Mayo Clinic health information you requested in your inbox.

Sorry something went wrong with your subscription

Please, try again in a couple of minutes

• Development of atherosclerosis

If there's too much cholesterol in the blood, the cholesterol and other substances may form deposits called plaque. Plaque can cause an artery to become narrowed or blocked. If a plaque ruptures, a blood clot can form. Plaque and blood clots can reduce blood flow through an artery.

Atherosclerosis is a slowly worsening disease that may begin as early as childhood. The exact cause is unknown. It may start with damage or injury to the inner layer of an artery. The damage may be caused by:

• High blood pressure
• High cholesterol
• High triglycerides, a type of fat (lipid) in the blood
• Smoking or chewing tobacco
• Insulin resistance
• Inflammation from an unknown cause or from diseases such as arthritis, lupus, psoriasis or inflammatory bowel disease

Once the inner wall of an artery is damaged, blood cells and other substances may gather at the injury site and build up in the inner lining of the artery.

Over time, fats, cholesterols and other substances also collect on the inner walls of the heart arteries. This buildup is called plaque. Plaque can cause the arteries to narrow, blocking blood flow. The plaque can also burst, leading to a blood clot.

Risk factors

Hardening of the arteries occurs over time. Aging is a risk factor for atherosclerosis. Other things that may increase the risk of atherosclerosis include:

• A family history of early heart disease
• An unhealthy diet
• High levels of C-reactive protein (CRP), a marker of inflammation
• Lack of exercise
• Sleep apnea
• Smoking and other tobacco use

Complications

The complications of atherosclerosis depend on which arteries are narrowed or blocked. For example:

• Coronary artery disease. When atherosclerosis narrows the arteries close to your heart, you may develop coronary artery disease, which can cause chest pain (angina), a heart attack or heart failure.
• Carotid artery disease. When atherosclerosis narrows the arteries close to your brain, you may develop carotid artery disease. This can cause a transient ischemic attack (TIA) or stroke.
• Peripheral artery disease. When atherosclerosis narrows the arteries in your arms or legs, you may develop blood flow problems in your arms and legs called peripheral artery disease. This can make you less sensitive to heat and cold, increasing your risk of burns or frostbite. Rarely, a lack of blood flow to the arms or legs can cause tissue death (gangrene).
• Aneurysms. Atherosclerosis can also cause aneurysms, a serious complication that can occur anywhere in the body. Most people with aneurysms have no symptoms. Pain and throbbing in the area of an aneurysm may occur and is a medical emergency. If an aneurysm bursts, it can cause life-threatening bleeding inside the body.
• Chronic kidney disease. Atherosclerosis can cause the arteries leading to the kidneys to narrow. Narrowing of these arteries prevents enough oxygen-rich blood from reaching the kidneys. The kidneys need enough blood flow to help filter waste products and remove excess fluids.

The same healthy lifestyle changes recommended to treat atherosclerosis also help prevent it. These lifestyle changes can help keep the arteries healthy:

• Quitting smoking
• Eating healthy foods
• Exercising regularly
• Maintaining a healthy weight
• Checking and maintaining a healthy blood pressure
• Checking and maintaining healthy cholesterol and blood sugar levels

Arteriosclerosis / atherosclerosis care at Mayo Clinic

Living with arteriosclerosis / atherosclerosis?

Connect with others like you for support and answers to your questions in the Heart & Blood Health support group on Mayo Clinic Connect, a patient community.

Heart & Blood Health Discussions

106 Replies Wed, Jun 19, 2024

341 Replies Wed, Jun 19, 2024

385 Replies Tue, Jun 04, 2024

• Atherosclerosis. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/atherosclerosis. Accessed May 12, 2022.
• Atherosclerosis. American Heart Association. https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/cholesterol/about-cholesterol/atherosclerosis. Accessed May 16, 2022.
• Zhao X. Pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. https://www.uptodate.com/contents/search. Accessed May 16, 2022.
• Jung J, et al. Epidemiology, risk factors, pathogenesis and natural history of abdominal aortic aneurysm. https://www.uptodate.com/contents/search. Accessed May 16, 2022.
• Arnett DK, et al. 2019 ACC/AHA guideline on the primary prevention of cardiovascular disease: A report of the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Task Force on Clinical Practice Guidelines. Circulation. 2019; doi:10.1161/CIR.0000000000000678.
• Whelton PK, et al. 2017 ACC/AHA/AAPA/ABC/ACPM/AGS/APhA/ASH/ASPC/NMA/PCNA guideline for the prevention, detection, evaluation, and management of high blood pressure in adults: A report of the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Task Force on Clinical Practice Guidelines. Hypertension. 2018; doi:10.1161/HYP.0000000000000065.
• Effectiveness checker: High cholesterol. Natural Medicines. https://naturalmedicines.therapeuticresearch.com. Accessed May 16, 2022.
• Effectiveness checker: Atherosclerosis. Natural Medicines. https://naturalmedicines.therapeuticresearch.com. Accessed May 16, 2022.
• Effectiveness checker: Hypertension. Natural Medicines. https://naturalmedicines.therapeuticresearch.com. Accessed May 16, 2022.
• Mitchell EL, et al. Noninvasive diagnosis of upper and lower extremity arterial disease. https://www.uptodate.com/contents/search. Accessed May 13, 2022.
• Wilson PWF, et al. Systematic review for the 2018 AHA/ACC/AACVPR/AAPA/ABC/ACPM/ADA/AGS/APhA/ASPC/NLA/PCNA guideline on the management of blood cholesterol: A report of the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Task Force on Clinical Practice Guidelines. American Journal of the American College of Cardiology. 2019; doi:10.1016/j.jacc.2018.11.004.
• Tapson VF. Approach to thrombolytic (fibrinolytic) therapy in acute pulmonary embolism: Patient selection and administration. https://www.uptodate.com/contents/search. Accessed May 16, 2022.
• Ami TR. Allscripts EPSi. Mayo Clinic. May 10, 2022.
• Cardiac computed tomography (multidetector CT, or MDCT). American Heart Association. https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/heart-attack/diagnosing-a-heart-attack/cardiac-computed-tomography-multidetector-ct-or-mdct. Accessed May 16, 2022.
• De Lemos J, et al., eds. Chronic Coronary Artery Disease: A Companion to Braunwald's Heart Disease. Elsevier; 2018. https://www.clinicalkey.com. Accessed May 16, 2022.
• Lopez-Jimenez F (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic. Feb. 16, 2021.
• Blond psyllium. Natural Medicines. https://naturalmedicines.therapeuticresearch.com. Accessed March 24, 2022.
• Oats. Natural Medicines. https://naturalmedicines.therapeuticresearch.com. Accessed March 24, 2022.
• Garlic. Natural Medicines. https://naturalmedicines.therapeuticresearch.com. Accessed March 24, 2022.
• Plant sterols. Natural Medicines. https://naturalmedicines.therapeuticresearch.com. Accessed March 24, 2022.

Associated Procedures

• Ankle-brachial index
• Cardiac catheterization
• Electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG)
• Stress test

Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, has been recognized as one of the top Cardiology & Heart Surgery hospitals in the nation for 2023-2024 by U.S. News & World Report.

• Symptoms & causes
• Diagnosis & treatment
• Doctors & departments
• Care at Mayo Clinic

Mayo Clinic does not endorse companies or products. Advertising revenue supports our not-for-profit mission.

• Opportunities

Mayo Clinic Press

Check out these best-sellers and special offers on books and newsletters from Mayo Clinic Press .

• Mayo Clinic on Incontinence - Mayo Clinic Press Mayo Clinic on Incontinence
• The Essential Diabetes Book - Mayo Clinic Press The Essential Diabetes Book
• Mayo Clinic on Hearing and Balance - Mayo Clinic Press Mayo Clinic on Hearing and Balance
• FREE Mayo Clinic Diet Assessment - Mayo Clinic Press FREE Mayo Clinic Diet Assessment
• Mayo Clinic Health Letter - FREE book - Mayo Clinic Press Mayo Clinic Health Letter - FREE book

Your gift holds great power – donate today!

Make your tax-deductible gift and be part of the cutting-edge research and care that's changing medicine.

Cardiovascular disease

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a general term for conditions affecting the heart or blood vessels.

It's usually associated with a build-up of fatty deposits inside the arteries ( atherosclerosis ) and an increased risk of  blood clots .

It can also be associated with damage to arteries in organs such as the brain, heart, kidneys and eyes.

CVD is one of the main causes of death and disability in the UK, but it can often largely be prevented by leading a healthy lifestyle.

Types of CVD

There are many different types of CVD. 4 of the main types are described on this page.

Coronary heart disease

Coronary heart disease occurs when the flow of oxygen-rich blood to the heart muscle is blocked or reduced.

This puts an increased strain on the heart, and can lead to:

• angina – chest pain caused by restricted blood flow to the heart muscle
• heart attacks  – where the blood flow to the heart muscle is suddenly blocked
• heart failure  – where the heart is unable to pump blood around the body properly

Read more about coronary heart disease .

Strokes and TIAs

A stroke is where the blood supply to part of the brain is cut off, which can cause brain damage and possibly death.

A transient ischaemic attack (also called a TIA or "mini-stroke") is similar, but the blood flow to the brain is only temporarily disrupted.

The main symptoms of a stroke or TIA can be remembered with the word FAST, which stands for:

• Face – the face may have drooped on one side, the person may be unable to smile, or their mouth or eye may have dropped.
• Arms – the person may not be able to lift both arms and keep them there because of arm weakness or numbness in one arm.
• Speech – their speech may be slurred or garbled, they may not be able to talk at all or they may not be able to understand what you are saying to them.
• Time – it's time to dial 999 immediately if you see any of these signs or symptoms.

Read more about  stroke and TIAs .

Peripheral arterial disease

Peripheral arterial disease occurs when there's a blockage in the arteries to the limbs, usually the legs.

This can cause:

• dull or cramping leg pain, which is worse when walking and gets better with rest
• hair loss on the legs and feet
• numbness or weakness in the legs
• persistent ulcers (open sores) on the feet and legs

Read more about peripheral arterial disease .

Aortic disease

Aortic diseases are a group of conditions affecting the aorta. This is the largest blood vessel in the body, which carries blood from the heart to the rest of the body.

One of most common aortic diseases is an aortic aneurysm, where the aorta becomes weakened and bulges outwards.

This doesn't usually have any symptoms, but there's a chance it could burst and cause life-threatening bleeding.

Read more about  aortic aneurysm .

Causes of CVD

The exact cause of CVD isn't clear, but there are lots of things that can increase your risk of getting it. These are called "risk factors".

The more risk factors you have, the greater your chances of developing CVD.

If you're over 40, you'll be invited by your GP for an NHS Health Check  every 5 years.

Part of this check involves assessing your individual CVD risk and advising you how to reduce it if necessary.

High blood pressure

High blood pressure (hypertension) is one of the most important risk factors for CVD. If your blood pressure is too high, it can damage your blood vessels.

Read more about high blood pressure .

Smoking and other tobacco use is also a significant risk factor for CVD. The harmful substances in tobacco can damage and narrow your blood vessels.

High cholesterol

Cholesterol is a fatty substance found in the blood. If you have high cholesterol, it can cause your blood vessels to narrow and increase your risk of developing a blood clot.

Read more about high cholesterol .

Diabetes  is a lifelong condition that causes your blood sugar level to become too high.

High blood sugar levels can damage the blood vessels, making them more likely to become narrowed.

Many people with  type 2 diabetes are also overweight or obese, which is also a risk factor for CVD.

If you don't exercise regularly, it's more likely that you'll have high blood pressure, high cholesterol levels and be overweight. All of these are risk factors for CVD.

Exercising regularly will help keep your heart healthy. When combined with a healthy diet, exercise can also help you maintain a healthy weight.

Being overweight or obese

Being overweight or obese increases your risk of developing diabetes and high blood pressure, both of which are risk factors for CVD.

You're at an increased risk of CVD if:

• your body mass index (BMI) is 25 or above – use the  BMI healthy weight calculator to work out your BMI
• you're a man with a waist measurement of 94cm (about 37 inches) or more, or a woman with a waist measurement of 80cm (about 31.5 inches) or more

Read more about obesity .

Family history of CVD

If you have a family history of CVD, your risk of developing it is also increased.

You're considered to have a family history of CVD if either:

• your father or brother were diagnosed with CVD before they were 55
• your mother or sister were diagnosed with CVD before they were 65

Tell your doctor or nurse if you have a family history of CVD. They may suggest checking your blood pressure and cholesterol level.

Ethnic background

In the UK people of south Asian and Black African or African Caribbean background have an increased risk of getting CVD.

This is because people from these backgrounds are more likely to have other risk factors for CVD, such as high blood pressure or type 2 diabetes.

Other risk factors

Other factors that affect your risk of developing CVD include:

• age – CVD is most common in people over 50 and your risk of developing it increases as you get older
• gender – men are more likely to develop CVD at an earlier age than women
• diet – an unhealthy diet can lead to high cholesterol and high blood pressure
• alcohol – excessive  alcohol consumption can also increase your cholesterol and blood pressure levels, and contribute to weight gain

Preventing CVD

A healthy lifestyle can lower your risk of CVD. If you already have CVD, staying as healthy as possible can reduce the chances of it getting worse.

Stop smoking

If you smoke, you should try to give up as soon as possible. The  NHS Better Health website can provide information, support and advice to help.

Your GP can also provide you with advice and support. They can also prescribe medication to help you quit.

Read more about  stopping smoking and stop smoking treatments .

Have a balanced diet

A healthy, balanced diet is recommended for a healthy heart.

A balanced diet includes:

• low levels of saturated fat – try to include healthier sources of fat, such as oily fish, nuts and seeds, and olive oil, and avoid unhealthy fats such as fatty cuts of meat, lard, cream, cakes and biscuits
• low levels of salt – aim for less than 6g (0.2oz or 1 teaspoon) a day
• low levels of sugar
• plenty of fibre and wholegrain foods
• plenty of fruit and vegetables – eat at least  5 portions of fruit and vegetables a day

Read more about healthy eating .

Exercise regularly

Adults are advised to do at least 150 minutes of moderate activity  a week, such as cycling or brisk walking.

If you find it difficult to do this, start at a level you feel comfortable with and gradually increase the duration and intensity of your activity as your fitness improves.

Visit your GP for a health check if you haven't exercised before or you're returning to exercise after a long break.

Read advice about starting exercise .

Maintain a healthy weight

If you're overweight or obese, a combination of regular exercise and a healthy diet can help you lose weight.

If you're struggling to lose weight, your GP or practice nurse can help you come up with a weight loss plan and recommend services in your area.

Read more about losing weight  and how your GP can help .

Cut down on alcohol

If you drink alcohol, try not to exceed the recommended limit of 14 alcohol units a week for men and women.

If you do drink this much, you should aim to spread your drinking over 3 days or more.

A unit of alcohol is roughly equivalent to half a pint of normal-strength lager or a single measure (25ml) of spirits. A small glass of wine (125ml) is about 1.5 units.

Your GP can give you help and advice if you're finding it difficult to cut down your drinking.

If you have a particularly high risk of developing CVD due to high blood cholesterol, your GP may recommend taking medicines called statins to reduce your risk.

Page last reviewed: 22 April 2022 Next review due: 22 April 2025

heart health center / heart a-z list / heart disease (coronary artery disease) article

Heart Disease (Coronary Artery Disease)

• Medical Author: Benjamin Wedro, MD, FACEP, FAAEM
• Medical Editor: Charles Patrick Davis, MD, PhD

What is heart disease (coronary artery disease)?

What causes heart disease, what are the warning signs and symptoms of heart disease, diagnosis of heart disease, what is the treatment for heart disease, can heart disease be prevented, what is the prognosis for heart disease how many people have heart disease.

The heart is like any other muscle in the body. It needs an adequate blood supply to provide oxygen so that the muscle can contract and pump blood to the rest of the body. Not only does the heart pump blood to the rest of the body, but it also pumps blood to itself via the coronary arteries. These arteries originate from the base of the aorta (the major blood vessel that carries oxygenated blood from the heart) and then branch out along the surface of the heart.

When one or more coronary arteries narrow, it may make it difficult for adequate blood to reach the heart, especially during exercise . This can cause the heart muscle to ache like any other muscle in the body. Should the arteries continue to narrow, it may take less activity to stress the heart and provoke symptoms. The classic symptoms of chest pain or pressure and shortness of breath that often spreads to the shoulders, arms, and/or neck due to atherosclerotic heart disease (ASHD) or coronary artery disease (CAD ) are called angina .

Should one of the coronary arteries become completely blocked -- usually due to a plaque that ruptures and causes a blood clot to form -- blood supply to part of the heart may be lost. This causes a piece of the heart muscle to die. This is called a heart attack or myocardial infarction (myo=muscle + cardia=heart + infarction= tissue death).

Cardiovascular disease , for this article, will be limited to describing the spectrum of atherosclerosis or hardening of the arteries that ranges from a minimal blockage that may produce no symptoms to complete obstruction that presents as a myocardial infarction. Other topics, such as myocarditis , heart valve problems, and congenital heart defects will not be covered.

Heart or cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in the United States and often can be attributed to lifestyle factors that increase the risk of atherosclerosis or narrowing of arteries. Smoking , along with poorly controlled hypertension ( high blood pressure ), and diabetes , causes inflammation and irritation of the inner lining of the coronary arteries. Over time, cholesterol in the bloodstream can collect in the inflamed areas and begin the formation of plaque. This plaque can grow and as it does, the diameter of the artery narrows. If the artery narrows by 40% to 50%, blood flow is decreased enough to potentially cause the symptoms of angina.

In some circumstances, the plaque can rupture or break open, leading to the formation of a blood clot in the coronary artery. This clot can completely occlude or block the artery. This prevents oxygen-rich blood from being delivered to the heart muscle beyond that blockage and that part of the heart muscle begins to die. This is a myocardial infarction or heart attack. If the situation is not recognized and treated quickly, the affected part of the muscle cannot be revived. It dies and is replaced by scar tissue. Long term, this scar tissue decreases the heart's ability to pump effectively and efficiently and may lead to ischemic cardiomyopathy (ischemic=decreased blood supply + cardio=heart + myo=muscle + pathy=disease).

Heart muscle that lacks adequate blood supply also becomes irritable and may not conduct electrical impulses normally. This can lead to abnormal electrical heart rhythms including ventricular tachycardia and ventricular fibrillation . These are the heart arrhythmias associated with sudden cardiac death.

Who is at risk for heart disease?

There are risk factors that increase the potential to develop plaque within coronary arteries and cause them to narrow. Atherosclerosis (athero=fatty plaque + sclerosis=hardening) is the term that describes this condition. Factors that put people at increa sed risk for heart disease are:

• High blood pressure (hypertension )
• High cholesterol
• Family history of heart problems, especially heart attacks and strokes

Since cardiovascular disease, peripheral artery disease , and stroke share the same risk factors, a patient who is diagnosed with one of the three has increased risk of having or developing the others.

• The classic symptoms of angina, or pain from the heart, are described as a crushing pain or heaviness in the center of the chest with radiation of the pain to the arm (usually the left) or jaw. There can be associated shortness of breath sweating and nausea .
• The symptoms tend to be brought on by activity and get better with rest.
• Some people may have indigestion and nausea while others may have upper abdominal, shoulder, or back pain .
• Unstable angina is the term used to describe symptoms that occur at rest, waken the patient from sleep , and do not respond quickly to nitroglycerin or rest.

Other heart (cardiovascular) disease symptoms and signs

Not all pain from heart disease have the same signs and symptoms. The more we learn about heart disease, the more we realize that symptoms can be markedly different in different groups of people. Women , people who have diabetes, and the elderly may have different pain perceptions and may complain of overwhelming fatigue and weakness or a change in their ability to perform routine daily activities like walking , climbing steps, or doing household chores. Some patients may have no discomfort at all.

Most often, the symptoms of cardiovascular disease become worse over time, as the narrowing of the affected coronary artery progresses over time and blood flow to that part of the heart decreases. It may take less activity to cause symptoms to occur and it may take longer for those symptoms to get better with rest. This change in exercise tolerance is helpful in making the diagnosis.

Often the first signs and symptoms of heart disease may be a heart attack. This can lead to crushing chest pressure, sho rtness of breath, sweating, and perhaps sudden cardiac death.

Health News

• More Americans Worry About Climate Change's Effect on Mental Health, Poll Finds
• Too Often, Overdose Survivors Miss Out on Vital Treatments: Study
• Dollar Tree Left Recalled Apple Sauce Pouches on Store Shelves Too Long, FDA Says
• Deadly Strep Bacteria Is Spreading in Japan
• Using Diabetes Drug Metformin Around Pregnancy Won't Raise Birth Defect Risk

Primary care practitioners, including those in family medicine, internal medicine specialists, and women's health, often help make the initial diagnosis of heart disease and can manage stable patients who do not need invasive procedures or interventions. These providers also work to help minimize potential risk factors for heart disease, so that it does not develop, or if it is already present, to minimize the progression of the artery blockages.

Emergency physicians often make the diagnosis of angina when a patient presents with symptoms of heart disease. As well, when patients present to the ER with symptoms of a heart attack, they work as a team with the cardiologists to treat the patient quickly to restore blood supply to the dying heart muscle.

Cardiologists are specialists who treat cardiovascular heart disease. In addition to confirming the diagnosis using a heart catheterization, they often can perform angioplasty to dilate or open a narrowed or blocked artery and restore blood supply to the heart muscle. As well, cardiologists help manage patients with chest pain to minimize the risk of future heart muscle damage.

Cardiothoracic surgeons operate on the heart and perform coronary artery bypass surgery if the coronary arteries are severely blocked and the patient is not a candidate to have angioplasty. These surgeons also repair or replace heart valves and perform other surgeries that involve the structure of the heart.

The diagnosis of cardiovascular disease begins by taking the patient's history. The health-care professional needs to understand the patient's symptoms and this may be difficult. Often, health-care professionals ask about chest pain, but the patient may deny having pain because they perceive their symptoms as pressure or heaviness. Words also may have different meanings for different people. The patient may describe their discomfort as sharp, meaning intense, while the health-care professional may understand that term to mean stabbing. For that reason, it is important for the patient to be allowed to take the time to describe the symptoms in their own words and have the health-care professional try to clarify the terms being used.

The health-care professional may ask questions about the quality and quantity of pain, where it is located, and where it might travel or radiate. It is important to know about the associated symptoms including shortness of breath, sweating, nausea, vomiting , and indigestion, as well as malaise or fatigue .

The circumstances surrounding the symptoms are also important.

• Are the symptoms brought on by activity?
• Do they get better with rest?
• Since symptoms began, does less activity provoke onset of the symptoms?
• Do the symptoms wake the patient?

These are questions that may help decide wither the angina is stable, progressing, or becoming unstable.

• With stable angina, the activity that is required to initiate the symptoms does not fluctuate. For example, a patient may state that their symptoms are brought on by climbing up two flights of stairs or walking one mile.
• Progressive angina would find the patient stating that the symptoms are brought on by less activity than previously.
• In the case of unstable angina, symptoms may arise at rest or wake the patient from sleep .

Risk factors for cardiovascular disease should be assessed including the prese nce of high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol, smoking history, and family history of cardiovascular disease. A past history of stroke or peripheral artery disease are also important risk factors to be assessed.

Physical examination may not necessarily help make the diagnosis of heart disease, but it can help decide whether other underlying medical problems may be the cause of the patient's symptoms.

There are some clues on physical exam that suggest the presence of narrowed arteries to the heart and coronary artery disease , for example, they the doctor may: Check for high blood pressure. Palpate. (feel) for the pulses in the wrists and feet to see if they are present, and if they are normal in their amplitude and force. Lack of pulses may signal a narrowed or blocked artery in the arm or leg. If one artery is narrowed, perhaps others, like the coronary arteries in the heart, also may be narrowed Auscultating or listening to the neck, abdomen and groin for bruits. A bruit is the sound produced within a narrowed artery due to turbulence caused when decreased blood flow occurs across the narrowed area. Bruits can be heard easily with a stethoscope in the he carotid artery in the neck, the abdominal aorta, and the femoral artery .Check sensation in the feet for numbness, decreased sensation, and peripheral neuropathy .

Moreover, many other important conditions may need to be considered as the cause of symptoms. Examples include those arising from the lung (pulmonary embolus), the aorta ( aortic dissection ), the esophagus ( GERD ), and the abdomen ( peptic ulcer disease, gallbladder disease ).

After the history and physical examination are complete, the health-care professional may require more testing if heart disease is considered a potential diagnosis. There are different ways to evaluate the heart anatomy and function; the type and timing of a test needs to be individualized to each patient and their situation.

Most often, the health-care professional, perhaps in consultation with a cardiologist, will order the least invasive test possible to determine whether coronary artery disease is present. Although heart catheterization is the gold standard to define the anatomy of the heart and to confirm heart disease diagnosis (either with partial or complete blockage or no blockage), this is an invasive test and not necessarily indicated for many patients.

Electrocardiogram ( EKG , ECG )

The heart is an electrical pump and electrodes on the skin can capture and record the impulses generated as electricity travels throughout the heart muscle. Heart muscle that has decreased blood supply conducts electricity differently than normal muscle and these changes can be seen on the EKG.

A normal EKG does not exclude cardiovascular disease and coronary artery blockage; there may be narrowing of the coronary arteries that has yet to cause heart muscle damage. An abnormal EKG may be a "normal" variant for that patient and the result has to be interpreted based upon the patient's circumstances.

If possible, an EKG should be compared to previous tracings looking for changes in the electrical conduction patterns.

Stress tests

It would make sense that during exercise, the heart is asked to work harder and if the heart could be monitored and evaluated during that exercise, a test might uncover abnormalities in heart function . That exercise may occur by asking the patient to walk on a treadmill or ride a bicycle while at the same time, an electrocardiogram is being performed. Medications (adenosine, persantine , dobutamine) can be used to stimulate the heart if the patient is unable to exercise because of poor conditioning, injury, or because of an underlying medical condition.

Echocardiography

Ultrasound examination of the heart to evaluate the anatomy of the heart valves, the muscle, and its function may be performed by a cardiologist. This test may be ordered alone or it may be combined with a stress test to look at heart function during exercise.

Nuclear imaging

A radioactive tracer that is injected into a vein can be used to indirectly assess blood flow to the heart. Technetium or thallium can be injected while a radioactive counter is used to map out how heart muscle cells absorb the radioactive chemical and how it is distributed in heart muscle cells may help determine indirectly whether a blockage exists. An area of the heart with no uptake would suggest that the area is not getting enough blood supply. This test may also be combined with an exercise test.

Cardiac computerized tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging ( MRI )

Using these scans, the anatomy of the coronary arteries can be evaluated, including how much calcium is present in the artery walls and whether blockage or artery narrowing are present. Each test has its benefits and limitations and the risks and benefits of considering a CT or MRI depends upon a patient's situation.

Cardiac catheterization

Cardiac catheterization is the gold standard for coronary artery testing. A cardiologist threads a thin tube through an artery in the groin, elbow, or wrist into the coronary arteries. Dye is injected to assess the anatomy and whether blockages are present. This is called a coronary angiogram .

If a blockage exists, it is possible that angioplasty may be performed. Using the same technique as the angiogram , a balloon is positioned at the site of the obstructing plaque. When the balloon is inflated, the plaque is squashed into the wall of the artery to re-establish blood flow. A stent may then be placed across the previously narrowed segment of artery to prevent it from narrowing again.

The goal of treating cardiovascular disease is to maximize the patient's quantity and quality of life.

• Prevention is the key to avoid cardiovascular disease and optimize treatment.
• Once plaque formation has begun, it is possible to limit its progression by maintaining a healthy lifestyle with routine exercise, diet , and by aiming for lifetime control of high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and diabetes.

Medical Treatment

• Aspirin may be used for its antiplatelet activity, making platelets (one type of blood cell that helps blood clot) less sticky and decreasing the risk of a heart attack. The decision to use aspirin routinely depends upon whether other risk factors for heart disease are present.
• Medications may be prescribed in patients with heart disease to maximize blood flow to the heart and increase the efficiency of the pumping function of the heart.
• Beta-blocker medications help block the action of adrenaline on the heart, slowing the heart rate. These medications also help the heart beat more efficiently and decrease the oxygen requirements of the heart muscle during work.
• Calcium channel blockers also help the heart muscle contract and pump more efficiently.
• Nitrates help dilate arteries and increase blood flow to the heart muscle. They may be short-acting ( Nitrostat ) to treat acute angina symptoms or long-acting preparations (Imdur) may be prescribed for prevention.
• Should there be significant stenosis or narrowing of the coronary arteries, angioplasty and/or stenting (described above) may be considered to open the blocked areas. These procedures are performed in conjunction with cardiac catheterization. Depending upon the patient's anatomy and the extent of the blockage present, coronary artery bypass graft surgery ( CABG ) may be required.
• If a stent is placed, other antiplatelet medications like clopidogrel ( Plavix ) may be prescribed.

Subscribe to MedicineNet's Heart Health Newsletter

By clicking "Submit," I agree to the MedicineNet Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy . I also agree to receive emails from MedicineNet and I understand that I may opt out of MedicineNet subscriptions at any time.

It may take 10 to 15 years from the beginning of a plaque formation in a coronary artery to narrow that artery to constrict blood flow.

The American Heart Association and the American College of Cardiology have developed guidelines so that healthcare professionals may counsel and treat their patients to decrease the risk of developing heart disease. New attention is being paid to the role of weight reduction, diet , exercise, and the use of cholesterol-lowering medications called statins .

In the past, the goal for statin drugs like atorvastatin was to lower the blood cholesterol level to a specific number, and statins were prescribed for patients with high cholesterol levels or those who had had heart attacks. The new guidelines recommend that more patients may benefit from these statin drugs. Rather than having specific cholesterol numbers as a goal, the new goal is to lower the blood cholesterol level by 50% in high-risk patients and by 30% to 50% in those who are at lower risk to develop heart disease. You and your doctor should discuss which goals are best for your condition.

For patients with a history of heart attack, transient ischemic attack ( TIA ), or stroke, statins may be appropriate for patients with high LDL cholesterol levels (the “bad” cholesterol), for example, those who have type 2 diabetes , and those who have a 10-year risk of a heart attack greater than 7.5%. You and your healthcare professional may estimate risk by using the American Heart Association and American College of Cardiology's ASCVD (Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease) Risk Calculator.

Preventing cardiovascular disease is a lifelong commitment to controlling blood pressure, and high cholesterol, quitting smoking, and diabetes. Now, new opportunities exist to decrease risk even further with these new guidelines. These are also the steps to take to d ecrease the risk of stroke and peripheral artery disease.

What lifestyle changes can a person make to prevent heart disease and heart attacks?

The goal of treating cardiovascular disease is to maximize the person's quantity and quality of life. Prevention is the key to avoiding cardiovascular disease and optimizing treatment. Once plaque formation has begun, it is possible to limit its progression by making these lifestyle changes:

• Maintain a healthy lifestyle with routine exercise
• Quit smoking
• Eat a heart-healthy diet such as the Mediterranean Diet .
• Aim for lifetime control of high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and diabetes.
• An estimated 15.5 million people in the United States have coronary artery disease.
• Each year, 1.5 million patients suffer an acute myocardial infarction and more than 600,000 people die.
• With a better understanding of the different signs and symptoms of heart disease, especially the "atypical" symptoms experienced by women and the elderly, the diagnosis of heart disease has improved.
• The prognosis for the patient is better when diagnosis and treatment are initiated early.
• Educating the public about early access to emergency services when a patient develops acute chest pain can help save lives.
• The goal of the treatment of heart disease is to maximize longevity and quality of life.

Healthy Heart Resources

• Signs Psoriasis May Be Affecting Your Heart
• Diagnosing Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy
• Exercising With HCM: How to Sweat Safely

Featured Centers

• What Are the Best PsA Treatments for You?
• Understanding Biologics
• 10 Things People With Depression Wish You Knew

Top Heart Disease (Coronary Artery Disease) Related Articles

Heart Healthy Diet: 25 Foods You Should Eat

Living With A-Fib

Chest pain is a common complaint by a patient in the ER. Causes of chest pain include broken or bruised ribs, pleurisy, pneumothorax, shingles, pneumonia, pulmonary embolism, angina, heart attack, costochondritis, pericarditis, aorta or aortic dissection, and reflux esophagitis.

Diagnosis and treatment of chest pain depends upon the cause and clinical presentation of the patient's chest pain.

CT Scan vs. MRI

Nutrition Quiz

Heart Detail Picture

Heart Disease: Causes of a Heart Attack

Heart Disease Quiz

High Blood Pressure (Hypertension)

Cholesterol Quiz

High-Sensitivity Troponin Test

How Long Can You Live With an Implanted Defibrillator?

Cough: 19 Tips on How to Stop a Cough

Parathyroidectomy

Benefits of Sex

What Are The Four Heart Sounds?

Watch CBS News

61% of U.S. adults will have some type of cardiovascular disease by 2050, report finds

By Sara Moniuszko

Edited By Allison Elyse Gualtieri

June 4, 2024 / 5:00 AM EDT / CBS News

Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death and disability in the United States — and new projections find it may become even more common in the next 30 years.

In a report released Tuesday, the American Heart Association says more than 6 in 10 U.S. adults (61%) will have some type of cardiovascular disease, or CVD, by 2050. This is particularly driven by a projected 184 million people with hypertension, or high blood pressure , which is expected to increase from 51.2% in 2020 to 61% in 2025.

"Clinically, cardiovascular disease is identified as a number of specific conditions, including coronary heart disease (including heart attack), arrhythmias (including atrial fibrillation), valvular disease, congenital heart disease, heart failure, stroke and hypertension," the association defines in its report. "However, high blood pressure is also known as a major risk factor contributing to both heart disease and stroke."

Where are other increases expected?

Total CVD diagnoses, which includes numbers for stroke but not high blood pressure, will increase from 11.3% to 15% or from 28 million to 45 million adults, during the same time.

Stroke specifically will see the largest increase, according to the report, jumping from 3.9% to 6.4%, with the "total prevalence number nearly doubling from 10 million to almost 20 million adults."

Increases were also projected for coronary heart disease (from 7.8% to 9.2%) and heart failure (from 2.7% to 3.8%).

And while there is a projected decline of high cholesterol diagnoses, other risk factors like obesity and diabetes will also increase, from 43.1% to 60.6% and 16.3% to 26.8%, respectively. 

Prevalence also varies by racial and ethnic groups, the report found. For example, the increase in total projected numbers of people with CVD and poor health behaviors rose most among Hispanic adults and Asian populations, while Black adults are projected to have the highest prevalence of hypertension, diabetes and obesity.

These disparities can be attributed to "individual, structural and systemic racism, as well as socioeconomic factors and access to care," the report notes.

• These 6 heart attack symptoms in women are key signs to look out for, doctor shares
• How improving sleep can mean better cardiac health
• American Heart Association
• Heart Disease

Sara Moniuszko is a health and lifestyle reporter at CBSNews.com. Previously, she wrote for USA Today, where she was selected to help launch the newspaper's wellness vertical. She now covers breaking and trending news for CBS News' HealthWatch.

More from CBS News

Severely delinquent credit card debt is rising. Here are 6 ways to tackle yours now.

White House touts new Biden immigration policy

Family's genes offer new clue to delaying Alzheimer's disease

New Boeing whistleblower report alleges faulty airplane parts may have been used

A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.

A lock ( ) or https:// means you've safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

• About Heart Disease
• Risk Factors
• Heart Disease Facts
• Healthy People 2030
• Heart Disease Communications Toolkit
• Publication
• Community-Clinical Linkages Health Equity Guide
• Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Home Rule State Law Fact Sheet
• American Heart Month Toolkits
• Healthy Eating Communications Kit

Related Topics:

• About Stroke
• About High Blood Pressure
• About Cholesterol

American Heart Month Toolkits 2024

At a glance.

February is American Heart Month, a time when all people—especially women—are encouraged to focus on their cardiovascular health.

This Heart Month, the Division for Heart Disease and Stroke Prevention (DHDSP) is encouraging women to listen to their hearts and speak up for their health. Women in the United States are experiencing unacceptable and avoidable heart-related illness and death, and nearly half of US women do not recognize that heart disease is the leading cause of death for women. 1

DHDSP aims to shed light on this important topic so that women no longer experience delayed recognition, diagnosis, and treatment for cardiac events, such as heart attacks. 2

Heart-health disparities specific to women widen and deepen when combined with race, ethnicity, and other social factors. 3 We encourage individuals, health care and public health professionals, and our partners to help close the disparities gap.

Using this website's tools, help the women in your life listen to their hearts and raise their voices. When we encourage women to protect their own hearts, they can help others in their communities protect theirs.

Tools and resources

For Health Care Professionals : Explore change packages, best practices guides, and other tools to help your team support patients with hypertension.

For Public Health Professionals : Share evidence-based data, journal articles, and messages to boost knowledge about hypertension in your state or local community.

For Individuals and Patients : Use these plain language materials, quizzes, videos, and graphics to help people learn more about how to control their blood pressure.

Quick links

• Social messages for professionals .
• "Live to the Beat" campaign partner toolkit .
• Heart disease and stroke maps and data .
• Facts about hypertension .

Connect with us

• Connect with other health care professionals and share the latest in hypertension control and about #HeartMonth from the Million Hearts ® LinkedIn page .
• Follow @CDCHeart_Stroke and @MillionHeartsUS on X (Twitter) to share our #HeartMonth tweets directly on your pages.
• Share #HeartMonth posts and resources directly from Million Hearts ® on Facebook .

Spread the word

Share these graphics and social messages with your followers for American Heart Month. Don't forget to tag @CDCHeart_Stroke in your posts and follow us on social media .

Social cards

Facebook/LinkedIn

• Women often experience delayed recognition, diagnosis, and treatment for heart attacks. They deserve to be heard—especially when it comes to their hearts. Commit to defending your patients' heart health this American Heart Month. Empower women to raise their voices. #HeartMonth https://bit.ly/3OAuNCy
• Listen to your heart. Raise your voice. Protect your health. Women are often subject to delayed recognition, diagnosis, and treatment for heart attacks. Use this toolkit to spread the word: it's time to get loud to protect our hearts. #HeartMonth https://bit.ly/3ugjicP
• Not all women are equally impacted by cardiovascular disease: Black women are nearly 60% more likely to have high blood pressure than White women. This American Heart Month, commit to increasing awareness of barriers to equitable health care. https://bit.ly/4bvEgF6

X (Twitter)

• Listen to your heart. Raise your voice. Protect your health. Women are often subject to delayed recognition, diagnosis, and treatment for heart attacks. Use this toolkit to spread the word: it's time to get loud to protect our hearts. #HeartMonth https://bit.ly/3SNmFRP
• High blood pressure accounts for 1 in 5 deaths among women in the U.S. and is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Be proactive about heart health and learn about the risk factors for high blood pressure. https://bit.ly/4brWEi6
• Listen to your heart. Raise your voice. Protect your health. High blood pressure during and after pregnancy is a leading cause of maternal illness and death. Learn the warning signs and talk to a doctor if something isn't feeling right. https://bit.ly/4bq1VXz
• Health equity is more than an ideal—it's a requirement for a truly heart-healthy community. Disparities in heart health deepen based on gender, especially when coupled with race, ethnicity, and other social factors. Make health equity a primary focus in your practice. https://bit.ly/4boUvDT
• Mosca L, Hammond G, Mochari-Greenberger H, Towfighi A, Albert MA, American Heart Association Cardiovascular Disease and Stroke in Women and Special Populations Committee of the Council on Clinical Cardiology, Council on Epidemiology and Prevention, Council on Cardiovascular Nursing, Council on High Blood Pressure Research, and Council on Nutrition, Physical Activity and Metabolism. Fifteen-year trends in awareness of heart disease in women: results of a 2012 American Heart Association national survey . Circulation . 2013;127(11):1254–1263, e1–29.
• Wenger NK, Lloyd-Jones DM, Elkind MSV, et al. Call to action for cardiovascular disease in women: epidemiology, awareness, access, and delivery of equitable health care: a presidential advisory from the American Heart Association . Circulation . 2022;145(23):e1059–e1071.
• Bey GS, Jesdale B, Forrester S, Person SD, Kiefe C. Intersectional effects of racial and gender discrimination on cardiovascular health vary among black and white women and men in the CARDIA study . SSM - Population Health . 2019;8:100446.

Heart Disease

Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States.

For Everyone

Public health.

• Hearing Loss & Heart Disease

Heart disease is a leading cause of death in the United States, and factors like hypertension and diabetes are on the rise. While no definitive link between hearing loss and heart disease has been established, extensive research suggests a connection. According to a 2018 JAMA study, cardiovascular disease was associated with worsened and accelerated hearing loss ( Wattamwar et al., 2018 ).

The inner ear, rich in blood vessels, is susceptible to damage due to insufficient oxygen and blood flow. Individuals with narrow arteries, abnormal blood vessels, or other vascular issues may experience a specific type of tinnitus, resembling a heartbeat-like sound. If you or someone you know has this symptom, it’s crucial to consult a hearing healthcare provider promptly.

For those with cardiovascular or cardiac concerns, regular monitoring for hearing loss by an audiologist is recommended. Early intervention plays a pivotal role in achieving positive clinical outcomes and better results for patients.

Celebrating a century of service in central Ohio, Columbus Speech & Hearing is here for you. Our highly trained team follows best practices to provide patient-centered care across three convenient locations. We would be honored to assist your patients with their hearing needs.

• My Life Has Been Changed Forever
• Can Hearing Aids Reduce The Risk of Early Death?
• Life Changing Support

• Fact sheets
• Facts in pictures
• Publications
• Questions and answers
• Tools and toolkits
• HIV and AIDS
• Hypertension
• Mental disorders
• Top 10 causes of death
• All countries
• Eastern Mediterranean
• South-East Asia
• Western Pacific
• Data by country
• Country presence 
• Country strengthening 
• Country cooperation strategies 
• News releases
• Feature stories
• Press conferences
• Commentaries
• Photo library
• Afghanistan
• Cholera 
• Coronavirus disease (COVID-19)
• Greater Horn of Africa
• Israel and occupied Palestinian territory
• Disease Outbreak News
• Situation reports
• Weekly Epidemiological Record
• Surveillance
• Health emergency appeal
• International Health Regulations
• Independent Oversight and Advisory Committee
• Classifications
• Data collections
• Global Health Estimates
• Mortality Database
• Sustainable Development Goals
• Health Inequality Monitor
• Global Progress
• Data collection tools
• Global Health Observatory
• Insights and visualizations
• COVID excess deaths
• World Health Statistics
• Partnerships
• Committees and advisory groups
• Collaborating centres
• Technical teams
• Organizational structure
• Initiatives
• General Programme of Work
• WHO Academy
• Investment case
• WHO Foundation
• External audit
• Financial statements
• Internal audit and investigations 
• Programme Budget
• Results reports
• Governing bodies
• World Health Assembly
• Executive Board
• Member States Portal
• WHO Director-General /

WHO Director-General's speech at the World Hypertension Day event webinar

Dr Tom Frieden, Chief Executive Officer of Resolve to Save Lives,

Dr Xin-Hua Zhang, President of the World Hypertension League,

Dr Maciej Tomaszewski, President of the International Society of Hypertension,

My brother Didier Drogba,

Dear colleagues and friends,

Good morning, good afternoon and good evening to everyone, and thank you for joining us today for World Hypertension Day. 

Today has a personal resonance for me, because I am one of the 1.1 billion people globally living with hypertension. 

I have access to good medical care. But many others who live with hypertension are not as lucky as me.

Hypertension is one of the world’s silent killers. 

But it does not have to be. It is within our reach to prevent, diagnose and treat. 

In the face of the COVID-19 pandemic, action on hypertension is more important than ever. 

People with hypertension are at increased risk of severe disease and death from COVID-19. 

In Italy, 68% of patients who died in hospital with COVID-19 had hypertension. 

Like COVID-19, the hypertension epidemic is hitting the world’s most vulnerable the hardest. 

Nine out of 10 people with hypertension don’t have it under control, and 2 in 5 people with hypertension are not aware they have it. 

Too many people die too young from cardiovascular disease, because of delayed, incomplete or interrupted treatment of high blood pressure.

At the same time, we are seeing a rise in behavioural risk factors, such as physical inactivity, diets high in salt, fat and sugar, and harmful use of alcohol. 

To support countries to take action against cardiovascular diseases, WHO and our partners at the US CDC, Resolve and others have developed the HEARTS package, which outlines the six key ingredients for addressing threats to heart health, including hypertension.

We know the HEARTS package works.

Today we can celebrate the fact that three million people in 18 countries where the WHO HEARTS technical package has been implemented are better protected from heart disease.

But we must not let progress falter.

The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted essential health services for hypertension in over half of the world’s countries.

Investment in hypertension management is more urgent than ever. 

To help build momentum, today WHO and our Regional Office for the Americas, PAHO-AMRO, are launching a virtual course on accurate blood pressure measurement. 

PAHO-AMRO is already making significant strides in hypertension control, with its HEARTS in the Americas programme. 

The COVID-19 pandemic is reminding us that life is fragile and health is the most precious commodity on earth.

That’s why action on hypertension is more important than ever.

Working together, we can help everybody live longer, healthier lives. It is within our reach.

I thank you.

Learn more about hypertension .