Definition

Several million Americans suffer from cardiovascular disease and over 500,000 people die from cardiovascular disease every year. Cardiovascular disease can effect many parts of the body including the heart (coronary heart disease, or CHD), brain and extremities. CHD and strokes account for almost half of the deaths in the United States.

The cause of CHD and other cardiovascular diseases is atherosclerosis. Atherosclerosis is the narrowing of arteries in the body. This narrowing occurs as plaque deposits, made up of blood fats such as cholesterol, attach to the walls of the arteries. CHD can cause many health problems.

For more information about heart disease, go to prevention organizations.

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