- How Smoking Affects the Heart and Blood Vessels - NHLBI, NIH
Smoking is a major risk factor for heart disease The chemicals you inhale when you smoke cause damage to your heart and blood vessels that makes you more likely to develop atherosclerosis, or plaque buildup in the arteries Any amount of smoking, even occasional smoking, can cause this damage to the heart and blood vessels
- Coronary Heart Disease - Diagnosis | NHLBI, NIH
Your healthcare provider will diagnose coronary heart disease based on your symptoms, your medical and family history, your risk factors, and the results of heart tests Your provider will likely screen you for coronary heart disease at your regular checkups Providers may use an app to assess your chance of developing heart disease in the next 10 years or beyond
- Coronary Heart Disease Causes and Prevention - NHLBI, NIH
Coronary heart disease may have more than one cause, including plaque buildup or problems that affect how the heart's blood vessels work Taking steps to keep your heart and blood vessels healthy early in life can prevent risk factors from developing
- Stents - When Do You Need a Stent? | NHLBI, NIH
Coronary heart disease Stents are often used to treat narrowed coronary arteries In coronary heart disease, the arteries cannot carry enough oxygen-rich blood to the heart Low blood flow to the heart can lead to chest pain and damage to the heart muscle from a heart attack
- Cardiac Catheterization Who Needs It - NHLBI, NIH
This is especially helpful if the results from those tests could not identify the problem or differ from what your doctor finds when examining you Diagnose heart conditions such as arrhythmia, heart attack, pulmonary hypertension, cardiomyopathy, coronary heart disease, and heart valve diseases, including aortic stenosis and mitral regurgitation
- Physical Activity and Your Heart - Benefits | NHLBI, NIH
Physical activity reduces coronary heart disease risk factors When done regularly, moderate- and vigorous-intensity aerobic activity can lower your risk for coronary heart disease This is a condition in which a waxy substance called plaque builds up inside your coronary arteries These arteries supply your heart muscle with oxygen-rich blood
- Cholesterol Your Heart: What You Need to Know - NHLBI, NIH
You may need to get your cholesterol checked more often if you have heart disease or diabetes or a family history of high cholesterol If you have unhealthy cholesterol levels, you’ll need to have it tested more often Talk with your doctor to find out how often is best for you
- Coronary Heart Disease Risk Factors - NHLBI, NIH
Your risk of coronary heart disease increases based on the number of risk factors you have and how serious they are Some risk factors — such as high blood pressure and unhealthy cholesterol levels can be adjusted through heart-healthy lifestyle changes Other risk factors, such as your age, family history, and race and ethnicity, cannot be changed
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