Cardiovascular Disease Basics

Talk to your physician and learn about the latest treatments and lifestyle strategies to lower your risk.

Fast facts about heart disease

• The No. 1 cause of death for men and women in the United States.
• Kills more women than men after age 45.
• Progresses stealthily and silently.
• As many as 50 percent of people with heart disease have no symptoms until a heart attack occurs.
• The leading cause of premature and permanent disability among American workers.
• Responsible for more than 6 million hospitalizations a year.
• Smokers are twice as likely to suffer a heart attack as nonsmokers.

Risk factors

• Obesity.
• Diabetes.
• Smoking.
• High LDL: low-density lipoprotein, or "bad" cholesterol.
• High blood pressure.

Fast facts about high blood pressure

• Blood pressure is the force of blood pushing against vessel walls. High blood pressure, also called hypertension, is a condition where the pressure on your arteries is chronically above the normal range.
• 50 million Americans - 1 in 4 adults - have it.
• Usually doesn't have any symptoms - that's why it's called the "silent killer."
• Contributing factor in stroke, heart attack, kidney problems, eye problems - and death.

Risk factors

• Ethnicity: 35% of African-Americans have hypertension, accounting for 20% of African-American deaths in the United States - twice the percentage of deaths among whites from hypertension.
• Age: risk increases after 35.
• Diet.
• Obesity.
• Sedentary lifestyle.
• Kidney disease.
• Pregnancy.

(Source: American Heart Association.)

What can you do about it?

Talk to your physician and learn about the latest treatments and lifestyle strategies to lower your risk. Kelsey-Seybold cardiologists offer proven therapies and technology for diagnosing and treating cardiovascular disease. Call 713-442-0427 to make an appointment.