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Trusted Information for a healthier you

IN THIS GUIDE
Overview What Is Heart Health? › Key Heart Health Factors › Major Risk Factors › Signs & Symptoms › How to Protect Your Heart › Heart Health Checkups › Heart Disease Prevention › Blood Pressure › FAQs ›
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HEART HEALTH

Heart Health: Understand, Protect and Improve Your Heart Health

  • En Español

Your heart works continuously to pump blood throughout your body, delivering oxygen and nutrients to your organs and tissues. Taking care of your heart is an important part of maintaining overall health and reducing the risk of cardiovascular problems.

Heart health can be influenced by many factors, including blood pressure, cholesterol, physical activity, nutrition, sleep, stress, smoking, and family history. Understanding these factors can help you make healthier choices and work with your healthcare professional to protect your heart.

What Is Heart Health?

Heart health refers to how well your heart and blood vessels function and how effectively your cardiovascular system supports your body.

A healthy heart is supported by healthy lifestyle habits, regular physical activity, a balanced diet, healthy blood pressure and cholesterol levels, and appropriate medical care when needed.

Blood Pressure

Keeping blood pressure within a healthy range can help reduce strain on the heart and blood vessels.

Cholesterol

Cholesterol is a type of fat found in your blood. Healthy cholesterol levels are important for cardiovascular health.

Physical Activity

Regular physical activity can help support heart health, improve fitness, and maintain a healthy weight.

Nutrition

A balanced diet that includes vegetables, fruits, whole grains, lean proteins, and other nutritious foods can support cardiovascular health.

Major Risk Factors for Heart Disease

Several factors can increase the risk of developing cardiovascular disease:

High Blood Pressure

High Cholesterol

Smoking or Tobacco Use

Physical Inactivity

Overweight or Obesity

Diabetes

Unhealthy Diet

Excessive Alcohol Consumption

Chronic Stress

Family History of Heart Disease

Increasing Age

Some risk factors cannot be changed, while others can often be improved through lifestyle changes and appropriate medical care.

Signs & Symptoms to Know

Heart-related problems can sometimes cause noticeable symptoms. Depending on the condition, symptoms may include:

Chest Pain or Pressure

Shortness of Breath

Unusual Fatigue

Dizziness or Lightheadedness

Rapid or Irregular Heartbeat

Swelling in the Legs or Ankles

Reduced Ability to Exercise

Pain or Discomfort That May Spread

View common heart symptoms

How to Protect Your Heart

Healthy habits can play an important role in maintaining cardiovascular health:

Stay Physically Active

Eat a Balanced, Heart-Healthy Diet

Maintain a Healthy Weight

Monitor Your Blood Pressure

Know Your Cholesterol Levels

Avoid Smoking and Tobacco Products

Get Enough Quality Sleep

Manage Stress

Take Prescribed Medicines as Directed

Attend Recommended Healthcare Appointments

Small, consistent changes can make a meaningful difference over time.

Heart Health Checkups

Regular healthcare visits can help identify cardiovascular risk factors early.

Depending on your individual health history, your healthcare professional may discuss:

Blood Pressure

Cholesterol Levels

Blood Sugar

Body Weight

Physical Activity

Diet

Smoking and Tobacco Use

Family History

Other Cardiovascular Risk Factors

Your healthcare professional can recommend which screenings and tests are appropriate for you.

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Common Heart Health Risk Factors

  • ✓ High blood pressure
  • ✓ High cholesterol
  • ✓ Diabetes
  • ✓ Smoking
  • ✓ Physical inactivity
  • ✓ Overweight or obesity
  • ✓ Unhealthy diet
  • ✓ Family history
  • ✓ Chronic stress
Learn about heart disease prevention

Did You Know?

Many heart disease risk factors can be managed or improved through healthy lifestyle choices and appropriate medical care.

Learn how to protect your heart

When to See a Doctor

Talk with a healthcare professional if you have persistent chest discomfort, shortness of breath, unusual fatigue, dizziness, palpitations, or other symptoms that concern you.

Find a doctor near you

Helpful Resources

Explore guides, calculators, trackers, and educational resources to help you monitor factors that can affect your heart health.

Explore resources
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Learn how blood pressure affects your heart and blood vessels and why monitoring your blood pressure is important.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How can I improve my heart health?

Regular physical activity, a balanced diet, maintaining a healthy weight, avoiding tobacco, managing stress, getting adequate sleep, and keeping up with recommended healthcare appointments can support heart health.

How often should I check my blood pressure?

The appropriate frequency depends on your individual health and risk factors. Your healthcare professional can recommend how often you should monitor your blood pressure.

Does exercise help heart health?

Yes. Regular physical activity can support cardiovascular fitness and help with factors such as blood pressure, weight, and blood sugar.

Can diet affect heart health?

Yes. A balanced diet can support healthy cholesterol, blood pressure, blood sugar, and body weight, all of which can influence cardiovascular health.

Does stress affect the heart?

Long-term stress can affect behaviors and health factors that are important to cardiovascular health. Finding healthy ways to manage stress can be part of an overall heart-healthy lifestyle.

Can heart disease be prevented?

Some risk factors cannot be changed, such as age and family history. However, many modifiable risk factors can be addressed through lifestyle changes and appropriate medical care.

When should I seek emergency medical help?

Seek immediate emergency medical care for symptoms such as severe or persistent chest pain or pressure, severe difficulty breathing, fainting, or other signs of a medical emergency. Do not rely on an online article during an emergency.

Key Takeaways

Heart health is influenced by many factors, including blood pressure, cholesterol, physical activity, nutrition, body weight, smoking, stress, sleep, and family history.

Regular physical activity, healthy eating, avoiding tobacco, monitoring important health measurements, and working with a healthcare professional can help support cardiovascular health.

Taking care of your heart is an ongoing process, and small healthy choices can add up over time.

Medical Disclaimer

The information on AllBMICalculator.com is provided for general informational purposes and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

If you have concerns about your heart health or cardiovascular risk, speak with a qualified healthcare professional. If you are experiencing symptoms of a medical emergency, seek immediate medical care.