February is American Heart Month

Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the U.S. for both men and women. This week's My MedlinePlus newsletter is dedicated to increasing awareness and prevention of heart disease.

A good place to start is by learning more about the cardiovascular system.

Preventing Heart Disease: Know Your Risk Factors

There are many things that can raise your risk for heart disease. These are called risk factors.

Heart disease risk factors that you cannot change include:

Age
Gender
Race or ethnicity
Family history

Make healthy changes to lower your risk of developing heart disease, such as:

Watch your weight
Quit smoking and stay away from secondhand smoke
Control your cholesterol and blood pressure
Drink alcohol in moderation or not at all
Get active and eat healthy

Learn more about what you can do to lower your risk of heart disease.

Heart Health Tests

Blood pressure and blood tests, such as cholesterol level, and other heart health tests can help find heart diseases or identify problems that can lead to heart diseases. There are several different types of heart health tests. Your doctor will decide which test or tests you need, based on your symptoms, risk factors, and medical history.

Heart Disease in Women

In the United States, 1 in 4 women dies from heart disease. The older a woman gets, the more likely she is to get heart disease. But women of all ages should be concerned about heart disease. All women can take steps to prevent it by practicing healthy lifestyle habits.

Learn more about heart disease in women.

What Are the Symptoms for Heart Attack in Women?

If you were having a heart attack, would you recognize the symptoms? Women can experience different heart attack symptoms than men. Know the symptoms of a heart attack in women.

A Heart-healthy Diet: What’s on Your Plate?

A healthy diet is a major factor in reducing your risk for heart disease but eating healthy doesn’t have to mean dieting or giving up your favorite foods completely. Try these tips:

Include fruits and vegetables at every meal or snack
Choose healthy proteins
Cut down on sugar
Know the facts on fats

If you have a heart condition, such as heart failure, or other health problems, such as diabetes, you should talk with your health care provider about what type of diet is best for you.