Heart disease affects how your heart and blood vessels work together to keep you healthy. Typically, the heart pumps oxygen-rich blood to fuel the entire body. When something disrupts this process, it can cause serious issues. Heart disease can impact heart rhythm, blood flow, and overall heart function, resulting in conditions that require careful, often lifelong, management.

Heart disease refers to a broad spectrum of conditions. Some of the main risk factors include hypertension (high blood pressure), diabetes, and high cholesterol, as well as lifestyle factors such as diet, physical activity, and smoking or alcohol use.

Types of heart disease include blood vessel diseases such as coronary artery disease (CAD), arrhythmias (irregular heartbeats), heart infections, congenital (present at birth) defects, cardiomyopathy (heart muscle disease), and problems with heart valves. In some cases, heart disease can lead to heart failure, when the heart can’t pump enough blood and oxygen to meet the body’s needs. Heart disease can also lead to myocardial infarction (heart attack) and stroke. Heart disease is usually chronic and requires lifelong treatment.

1. Heart Disease Has Been Around for Thousands of Years

Heart disease isn’t just a problem of modern times — it has affected humans for thousands of years. Research shows that even ancient civilizations experienced forms of heart disease. While medical knowledge of the heart has advanced greatly since then, heart disease remains one of the leading causes of death today.

Ancient Evidence of Heart Disease

In 2013, researchers studied the hearts of 137 mummies from ancient civilizations in Egypt, Peru, the American Southwest, and the Aleutian Islands. They found that around 34 percent showed signs of atherosclerosis (clogged arteries). This surprising discovery revealed that heart disease affected people long before modern diets and lifestyles.

Early Studies of the Heart

In the 1500s, Leonardo da Vinci made detailed drawings of the heart. In 1628, English physician William Harvey published the first descriptions of how blood circulates through the heart. Their studies laid important groundwork for understanding the heart’s anatomy and function, which became foundational to modern cardiology.

Medical Breakthroughs in the 19th and 20th Centuries

In the 19th and 20th centuries, medical tools like the stethoscope (invented in 1819 by René Laennec) and the electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG, developed in the late 1800s by Willem Einthoven) revolutionized heart disease diagnosis. By the end of the 20th century, treatments such as coronary artery bypass surgery, stent placement, heart transplants, and medications transformed heart care. Despite these advances, heart disease remains a leading cause of death today.

2. Heart Disease Is Common in the United States

In the United States, almost half of the population (48.6 percent) has some form of cardiovascular disease. This includes high blood pressure, coronary heart disease, heart failure, and stroke. Many people with cardiovascular disease — especially hypertension (high blood pressure) — are undiagnosed. According to the American Heart Association, about 46 percent of adults in the U.S. in 2024 have hypertension, but 38 percent of them don’t know that they have it.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), about 5 percent of adults ages 20 and up in the U.S. have CAD, and more than 805,000 people have a heart attack every year.

3. Heart Disease Symptoms Can Vary but Often Include Chest Pain

Symptoms of heart disease may not always be obvious. While chest pain is a common warning sign, other symptoms may include:

• Shortness of breath
• Lightheadedness or dizziness
• Extreme fatigue
• Nausea or vomiting
• Cold sweats
• Pain in the neck, jaw, or back
• Discomfort or pain in the arms or shoulders
• Irregular heartbeats

Some people may not notice any symptoms of heart disease until they experience a heart attack. If you feel any of these symptoms, contact a health care provider immediately, as they may indicate a heart attack.

4. Lifestyle Habits Are a Major Cause of Heart Disease

Heart disease often develops from lifestyle habits that harm your heart over time. These include:

• Poor diet, especially high in processed foods and unhealthy fats
• Lack of physical activity
• Smoking
• Excessive alcohol consumption
• Chronic stress
• Obesity or overweight — Clinically diagnosed based on a person’s body mass index (BMI), which measures weight relative to height
• Poor dental health

While certain risk factors like age and family history can’t be changed, making heart-healthy lifestyle changes — such as eating a balanced diet, exercising regularly, and quitting smoking — can significantly reduce your risk of heart disease.

5. Diagnosing Heart Disease May Require a Range of Tests

Diagnosing heart disease often requires several tests to understand how well the heart is working. Some of the most common diagnostic tests include:

• Electrocardiogram — Measures the heart’s electrical activity to detect irregular heartbeats
• Echocardiogram — Uses sound waves to create images of the heart, showing how well it pumps blood and assessing valve function
• Stress test — Monitors heart activity during exercise to observe how it responds under physical stress
• Blood tests — Measure cholesterol, triglycerides, and other markers that indicate heart disease risk
• Cardiac catheterization — A procedure in which a thin tube is inserted into a blood vessel to check for blockages in the coronary arteries, which supply blood to the heart muscle

These tests help doctors diagnose conditions like coronary artery disease, arrhythmias, or heart failure. Your cardiologist will let you know which tests are best for diagnosing your condition. Early detection allows for better management and treatment options and supports timely lifestyle changes.

6. Heart Disease Cannot Be Reversed, but It Can Be Slowed

People diagnosed with heart disease often wonder, “Can heart disease be reversed?” Unfortunately, heart disease cannot be reversed or cured. However, certain aspects of the condition can be slowed or improved with significant lifestyle changes and medical treatments.

Not all types of heart disease respond equally to treatment. Conditions like heart failure, which involves major heart muscle damage, or CAD, often require lifelong management. Early detection and proactive management are key to slowing progression.

7. Lifestyle Changes Are Key To Managing Heart Disease

Making lifestyle changes can help reduce the risk of heart disease progression and improve your overall heart health. Some essential changes include:

• Quitting smoking and tobacco use to improve circulation and reduce artery damage
• Eating a heart-healthy diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and healthy fats, while limiting processed foods and sugars
• Getting regular physical activity, such as walking, swimming, or cycling to strengthen your heart and improve blood flow
• Managing stress through techniques like meditation, deep breathing, or yoga
• Maintaining a healthy weight to reduce strain on the heart and blood vessels
• Taking your medications (such as those for diabetes, high blood pressure or high cholesterol) exactly as prescribed

These lifestyle changes can help you better manage heart disease and lower your risk of heart attacks or strokes.

8. Treatment Options Include Medication and Surgery

Managing heart disease often requires a combination of treatments. Depending on the type and severity of your condition, your doctor may recommend:

• Medications to control blood pressure, lower cholesterol, prevent blood clots, or manage symptoms like chest pain
• Stents or angioplasty to open blocked arteries and improve blood flow to the heart
• Bypass surgery to reroute blood around blocked arteries and improve circulation
• Pacemakers or defibrillators to help regulate abnormal heart rhythms
• Lifestyle changes

The goal of these treatments is to manage symptoms, prevent complications such as heart attacks and strokes, and improve quality of life.

9. Managing Heart Disease Requires Working With Your Doctor

If you’re wondering what happens after you’re diagnosed with heart disease, this diagnosis typically means partnering closely with your health care provider to manage the condition and prevent further complications. After diagnosis, you may:

• Start medications to control symptoms and reduce risks like high blood pressure or cholesterol
• Receive a treatment plan that includes lifestyle changes, such as adopting a heart-healthy diet and getting more exercise
• Have regular follow-up appointments to monitor your heart’s health and adjust treatments as needed

The goal is to manage heart disease effectively and help you live a long, healthy life.

10. People With a Healthy Lifestyle Can Get Heart Disease

You might wonder, “Do healthy people get heart disease?” Although many risk factors for heart disease are related to lifestyle choices, even people who live healthy lives can develop heart conditions. Genetics play a big role, and some people are born with heart problems, called congenital heart defects. These are conditions that affect the structure of the heart and are present from birth.

Additionally, conditions like high cholesterol or hypertension can sometimes develop without obvious symptoms, making it harder to detect until they become more serious.

That’s why regular check-ups and knowing your family’s medical history are important. Being proactive about your heart health can help catch problems early, even if you feel healthy.

11. Heart Disease Is the Leading Cause of Death in the U.S.

Heart disease is the top cause of death in the U.S. It causes about 1 in 5 deaths each year. Although heart disease can affect anyone, certain factors can significantly increase your risk. The National Institute on Aging reports that the risk of heart disease increases with age, but it's possible to lower your risk by making lifestyle changes.

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