Skip to main content

About Heart Disease & Stroke

Overview

Heart Disease

Heart disease refers to several types of heart conditions. The most common type in the United States is coronary artery disease, which can cause heart attack, severe chest pain, heart failure, and irregular heartbeat. Several factors contribute to heart disease, including genetics, high blood pressure and cholesterol, and lifestyle factors such as smoking, unhealthy diet, and lack of exercise.

Stroke

Stroke is a brain attack that occurs when blood flow to the brain becomes blocked. This can be caused either by a blood clot or by a burst blood vessel in or around the brain. Lack of blood flow during stroke can cause portions of the brain to become damaged, often beyond repair.

Cardiovascular Disease

Cardiovascular disease is a broad term for all diseases that affect the heart or blood vessels. This includes heart attack and stroke as well as conditions such as high blood pressure, coronary artery disease, and aortic aneurism.

Learn More

Million Hearts™ / AHA Tools

American Heart Association/American Stroke Association is proud to join forces with Million Hearts™ to build healthier lives, free of cardiovascular diseases and stroke.

Heart Attack Risk Calculator

Discover your 10-year risk of heart attack or dying from coronary heart disease… and what you can do about it.

Calculate My Risk Exit icon.

My Life Check™

Live Better With Life's Simple 7

In just a few minutes with My Life Check, you can learn the state of your heart and what you can do to live a better life.

Get My Assessment Exit icon.

Note: Interactive content available from this page requires the free Adobe Flash Player.