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Heart disease

• More information on heart disease

Heart disease is the leading cause of death and a major cause of disability. Even if you've had surgery or take medicine to help blood flow in your heart, you need to adopt a healthy lifestyle to control your heart disease, prevent a first or second heart attack, and increase your chances for a long and an active life. Making lifestyle changes isn't always easy, especially if you have many unhealthy habits or are not feeling your best. Also, people with heart disease are often depressed, which can make it hard to want to take care of yourself. But managing heart disease can be done with good medical care, a healthy lifestyle, and the support of your family and friends.

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More information on heart disease

Read more from womenshealth.gov

• Heart Disease Fact Sheet — This fact sheet on women and heart disease includes information about risk factors, prevention, and treatment of heart disease.
  http://www.womenshealth.gov/publications/our-publications/fact-sheet/heart-disease.cfm

Explore other publications and websites

• Congestive Heart Failure (Copyright © American Heart Association) — Congestive heart failure, or heart failure, is a condition in which the heart can't pump enough blood to the body's other organs. This publication provides information on how to diagnose and treat congestive heart failure.
  http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=4585
• Heart and Vascular Diseases — This website lists publications on cholesterol, heart attack, high blood pressure, and many other topics related to heart disease.
  http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/public/heart
• Your Guide to Living Well With Heart Disease — This guide is designed for people with heart disease. It provides information on risk factors, treatment, and the importance of knowing the signs of heart attack.
  http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/public/heart/other/your_guide/living_hd_fs.pdf

Connect with other organizations

• American Heart Association
  http://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/
• Heart Truth
  http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/educational/hearttruth/
• National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute
  http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/index.htm
• WomenHeart: The National Coalition for Women With Heart Disease
  http://www.womenheart.org/

Content last updated September 22, 2009.

Resources last updated September 22, 2009.

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