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Heart Health

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) — including heart disease, stroke, and high blood pressure — is the number one killer of men and women in the United States. 

  • Heart disease is a term that includes several more specific heart conditions. 
  • The most common heart disease in the United States is coronary heart disease, which can lead to heart attack.

Know Your Risk!

Risk factors for heart disease and stroke include:

  • High blood pressure, cholesterol and glucose levels
  • Smoking
  • Inadequate intake of fruits and vegetables
  • Overweight and obesity
  • Physical inactivity

Taken together, these major risk factors account for around 80% of deaths from heart disease and stroke. The only way to know your level of risk is to be assessed by a healthcare professional and to be checked for factors such as your blood pressure, cholesterol and glucose levels, waist measurement and BMI. Once you know your overall risk, agree with your health care professional on a plan for specific actions you should take to reduce your risk for heart disease and stroke.

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Good Sleep is Key to Heart Health

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5/30/2023
Good Sleep is Key to Heart Health

How regularly you sleep, not just the length of sleep, has a connection to your heart health.

Opinion: Why a Healthy Heart Matters at Any Age

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2/21/2023
National Heart Health Month composite

We often think of heart health as an issue for older people, but heart disease actually affects every age group. Here's some expert advice for developing healthier habits at the earliest age to improve your and your loved ones' odds of better heart health later in life.

Love Your Heart: Don't Smoke

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1/12/2023
Love Your Heart: Don't Smoke

Smoking can increase your risk for heart disease. Talk to your provider on ways to lower your risk and prioritize your heart health: www.health.mil/hearthealth #HeartHealth

Love Your Heart: Prevent Heart Disease

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1/12/2023
Love Your Heart: Prevent Heart Disease

A healthy heart is critical, particularly to service members facing high-stress jobs throughout their careers. Take steps to prevent heart disease: https://health.mil/News/Articles/2021/02/24/Proper-diet-sleep-exercise-and-joy-key-to-a-heart-health #HeartHealth

Love Your Heart Healthy: Food and Drinks

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1/12/2023
Love Your Heart: Choose Healthy Foods and Drinks

Eating a balanced, healthy diet, low in sodium, cholesterol, and saturated fat can lower your risk for heart disease. www.health.mil/Nutrition #HeartHealth

Love Your Heart: Healthy Weight

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1/12/2023
Love Your Heart: Healthy Weight

Keepings a healthy weight can lower your risk for heart disease. Learn more on how a healthy way is good for your heart: https://health.mil/News/Articles/2022/01/14/Six-Immediate-Health-Benefits-You-Will-See-If-You-Lose-a-Little-Weight #HeartHealth

Love Your Heart: Physical Activity

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1/12/2023
Love Your Heart: Get Regular Physical Activity

Get moving! Try and get at least 2.5 hours a week of physical activity to keep your heart healthy. https://health.mil/Exercise #HeartHealth #Readiness

National Wear Red Day

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12/30/2022
National Wear Red Day

Today is National Wear Red Day! Show your support for heart disease awareness by wearing red and learning more about heart health here: https://health.mil/HeartHealth #WearRed #HeathHealthMonth

Heart Health Month

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12/30/2022
Heart Health Month

Cardiovascular disease is the number one killer in the U.S. of both men and women. Learn more about your risks and where to get care: https://health.mil/HeartHealth #HeartHealthMonth

A letter from your heart ...

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2/11/2022
A letter from your heart ...

Love letter from your heart. Happy Heart Health Month!

Heart Attacks Infographic

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2/11/2022
Signs and symptoms of a heart attack can differ between women and men. If you have any of these symptoms, call 911 quickly.

Signs and symptoms of a heart attack can differ between women and men. If you have any of these symptoms, call 911 quickly.

Women’s Heart Attacks Symptoms Can Differ from Men’s: Know the Signs

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2/11/2022
Signs and symptoms of a heart attack can differ between women and men. If you have any of these symptoms, call 911 quickly.

Doctors say women sometimes fail to recognize their unique warnings signs for heart problems.

Six Immediate Health Benefits You Will See If You Lose a Little Weight

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1/14/2022
A soldier assigned to the 256th Combat Support Hospital, Twinsburg, Ohio, drinks water from a gallon-sized jug during Combat Support Training Exercise 18-03 at Fort McCoy, Wisconsin, March 26, 2018. The 256th CSH implemented a goal setting competition, dubbed Dandy Camp, to teach and encourage soldiers to monitor their total carbohydrate intake during the field exercise. The overall goal of Dandy Camp is to educate soldiers about healthy eating choices and encourage soldiers to set and meet goals for themselves.

Losing even a little weight now can have a major impact on your health and quality of life. This long list of benefits might help motivate you to adjust your habits to achieve a happier, healthier lifestyle.

Aphasia, Caused by Stroke or TBI, is Frustrating and Little Known

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Aphasia is an incurable disease usually caused by stroke that affects all forms of communication.

Cardiovascular providers counter pandemic-induced sedentary lifestyle

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COVID-19 fears likely affecting cardiovascular care but not at military medical treatment facilities.

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Last Updated: October 31, 2022
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