Men's Health

Heart Disease

Men's Health Home > Top 10 Health Concerns of Men > Heart Disease

In the United States, heart disease is the number one killer of both women and men. As early as age 45, a man's risk of heart disease begins to rise significantly.

In 2004, 321,973 men died of heart disease in the United States. Researchers have made great progress in understanding heart disease and its risk factors, but they still cannot predict who will get it.

Despite recent declines in heart disease in the general population, the mortality rate for African American men, aged 35 to 44 years, is almost twice that for White men.

You can reduce your risk of heart disease by making healthier lifestyle choices and getting treatment for conditions that can damage your heart, such as high cholesterol, diabetes, and high blood pressure. Other preventive measures you can take:

• Don't smoke or use other tobacco products.
• Eat a varied diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and low-fat foods.
• Get at least 30 minutes of exercise most days of the week.

Additional Information on Heart Disease:

Publications

1.   Act in Time to Heart Attack Signs - The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI), part of the National Institutes of Health, designed this web page as part of a campaign to increase awareness of the need to act fast when someone may be having a heart attack. Fast action can save lives and limit damage to the heart.

   http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/actintime/index.htm

2.   Heart and Vascular Diseases - This web site lists information from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute for patients and the public. From this page you can access information online about cholesterol, heart attack, high blood pressure, and many other topics as well as order print copies of the information.

   http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/public/heart

3.   Live Healthier, Live Longer: Cholesterol Counts for Everyone - Visit this interactive page to find information about preventing heart disease and reducing the risk of having a heart attack for those with heart disease. It contains recipes, a "how to" guide for lowering cholesterol, and many engaging activities.

   http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/chd/

4.   Men and Heart Disease Fact Sheet - This fact sheet contains statistics about men and heart disease and explains the CDCs activities to reduce the burden of heart disease among men.

   http://www.cdc.gov/dhdsp/library/fs_men_heart.htm

5.   Your Guide to Lowering Blood Pressure - "You can do it!" is the message in this action-packed guide. Follow step-by-step instructions on how to achieve and maintain a lower blood pressure through lifestyle and, if prescribed, medication. It is filled with practical advice about how to find your target weight, use herbs and spices to reduce sodium intake, and even how to remember to take your blood pressure medication.

   http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/public/heart/hbp/hbp_low/index.htm

6. Heart Attack, Stroke & Cardiac Arrest Warning Signs (Copyright © AHA) - Knowing how to respond quickly to a heart emergency is a skill that the American Heart Association encourages everyone to learn. Their web site provides information about the warning signs of a heart attack and stroke, and explains how to act effectively and in time.

   http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=3053

7. Heart Attack/Coronary Heart Disease Risk Assessment (Copyright © American Heart Association) - This health risk awareness quiz focuses on heart attack and stroke and allows you to assess your risk for heart disease and stroke. Included is a stroke risk scorecard, and questions to ask your doctor.

   http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=3003499

Organizations

1.   National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, NIH, HHS
2. American Heart Association
3. Texas Heart Institute

= Indicates Federal Resources

Current as of June 2007