Those who showed signs of frailty were more likely to be hospitalized or have a fall than participants who did not experience these symptoms.

This finding has led to new research questions and has affected clinical care. The NHLBI continues to leverage CHS data and specimens to spur new scientific discovery.

The NHLBI encourages researchers to utilize the valuable resources that have been collected over 25 years. The study recruited 5, men and women aged 65 or older in four U. communities—Sacramento, CA; Hagerstown, MD; Winston-Salem, NC; and Pittsburgh, PA—conducting annual clinical exams between and CHS research was conducted with an emphasis on subclinical measures, or measures of disease without signs and symptoms that are detectable by physical examination or laboratory test.

Extensive initial physical and laboratory evaluations were performed to identify the presence and severity of cardiovascular risk factors, such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and pre-diabetes; subclinical disease, such as carotid artery atherosclerosis, left ventricular enlargement, and transient ischemia; and cardiovascular disease that has obvious signs and symptoms.

These exams permitted evaluation of cardiovascular risk factors in older adults, particularly in groups previously under-represented in studies, such as women, African-Americans, and adults aged 65 or older.

Participants were seen annually in the clinic, and contacted by phone at six-month intervals to collect information about hospitalizations and potential cardiovascular events. Major exam components were repeated during annual follow-up examinations through and again in Since , participants have been contacted every six months by phone, primarily to assess health status for cardiovascular events and physical and cognitive functions.

Visit the CHS website for more information on the study field sites and the coordinating and collaborating centers. In , President Truman signed legislation that created what is now the NHLBI to address America's emerging cardiovascular disease epidemic.

Cardiovascular Health Study CHS Project began. Point of contact. Read more about coronary heart disease. A stroke is where the blood supply to part of the brain is cut off, which can cause brain damage and possibly death.

A transient ischaemic attack also called a TIA or "mini-stroke" is similar, but the blood flow to the brain is only temporarily disrupted. The main symptoms of a stroke or TIA can be remembered with the word FAST, which stands for:.

Read more about stroke and TIAs. Peripheral arterial disease occurs when there's a blockage in the arteries to the limbs, usually the legs. Read more about peripheral arterial disease. Aortic diseases are a group of conditions affecting the aorta. This is the largest blood vessel in the body, which carries blood from the heart to the rest of the body.

One of most common aortic diseases is an aortic aneurysm, where the aorta becomes weakened and bulges outwards. This doesn't usually have any symptoms, but there's a chance it could burst and cause life-threatening bleeding. Read more about aortic aneurysm.

The exact cause of CVD isn't clear, but there are lots of things that can increase your risk of getting it. These are called "risk factors".

The more risk factors you have, the greater your chances of developing CVD. If you're over 40, you'll be invited by your GP for an NHS Health Check every 5 years. Part of this check involves assessing your individual CVD risk and advising you how to reduce it if necessary.

High blood pressure hypertension is one of the most important risk factors for CVD. If your blood pressure is too high, it can damage your blood vessels.

Read more about high blood pressure. Smoking and other tobacco use is also a significant risk factor for CVD. The harmful substances in tobacco can damage and narrow your blood vessels.

Cholesterol is a fatty substance found in the blood. If you have high cholesterol, it can cause your blood vessels to narrow and increase your risk of developing a blood clot. Read more about high cholesterol.

Diabetes is a lifelong condition that causes your blood sugar level to become too high. High blood sugar levels can damage the blood vessels, making them more likely to become narrowed.

Many people with type 2 diabetes are also overweight or obese, which is also a risk factor for CVD. If you don't exercise regularly, it's more likely that you'll have high blood pressure, high cholesterol levels and be overweight. All of these are risk factors for CVD. Exercising regularly will help keep your heart healthy.

When combined with a healthy diet, exercise can also help you maintain a healthy weight. To do that, go to bed and wake up at the same times each day. Keep your bedroom dark and quiet too, so it's easier to sleep. Talk to a member of your health care team if you feel like you get enough sleep but you're still tired throughout the day.

Ask if you need to be evaluated for obstructive sleep apnea. It's a condition that can raise your risk of heart disease. Symptoms of obstructive sleep apnea include loud snoring, stopping breathing for short times during sleep and waking up gasping for air.

Treatment for obstructive sleep apnea may involve losing weight if you're overweight. It also might involve using a device that keeps your airway open while you sleep. This is called a continuous positive airway pressure CPAP device.

Ongoing stress can play a role in higher blood pressure and other risk factors for heart disease. Some people also cope with stress in unhealthy ways. For example, they may overeat, drink or smoke. You can boost your health by finding other ways to manage stress. Healthy tactics include physical activity, relaxation exercises, mindfulness, yoga and meditation.

If stress becomes overwhelming, get a health care checkup. Ongoing stress may be linked with mental health conditions such as anxiety and depression. These conditions also are tied to heart disease risk factors, including higher blood pressure and less blow flow to the heart.

If you think you might have depression or anxiety, it's important to get treatment. High blood pressure and high cholesterol can damage the heart and blood vessels. But if you don't get checked for these conditions, you likely won't know whether you have them.

Regular screening tests can tell you what your numbers are and whether you need to take action. Blood pressure. Regular blood pressure screenings usually start in childhood.

Starting at age 18, blood pressure should be measured at least once every two years. This checks for high blood pressure as a risk factor for heart disease and stroke. If you're between 18 and 39 and have risk factors for high blood pressure, you'll likely be screened once a year.

People age 40 and older also are given a blood pressure test yearly. If you have a condition such as high cholesterol, high blood pressure or diabetes, talk with your health care team. Your doctor may prescribe medicines and recommend lifestyle changes.

Make sure to take your medicines exactly as prescribed, and follow a healthy-lifestyle plan. Certain infections may lead to heart problems.

For instance, gum disease may be a risk factor for heart and blood vessel diseases. So brush and floss daily. Get regular dental checkups too. Other illnesses caused by infections can make existing heart problems worse.

Vaccines help protect against infectious diseases. So stay up to date on the following shots:. There is a problem with information submitted for this request. Sign up for free and stay up to date on research advancements, health tips, current health topics, and expertise on managing health.

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Request Appointment. Strategies to prevent heart disease. Products and services. Strategies to prevent heart disease You can help prevent heart disease by following a heart-healthy lifestyle. By Mayo Clinic Staff. Thank you for subscribing!

Sorry something went wrong with your subscription Please, try again in a couple of minutes Retry. Show references Know your risk for heart disease. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Accessed May 15, Heart disease facts.

Find healthy, seasonal recipes on the Million Hearts ® Recipes for a Heart-Healthy Lifestyle page. People with overweight or obesity have a higher risk for heart disease. Carrying extra weight can put extra stress on the heart and blood vessels. Physical activity can help you maintain a healthy weight and lower your blood pressure, blood cholesterol, and blood sugar levels.

For adults, the Surgeon General recommends 2 hours and 30 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise, like brisk walking or bicycling, every week. Children and adolescents should get 1 hour of physical activity every day.

Cigarette smoking greatly increases your risk for heart disease. If you do smoke, quitting will lower your risk for heart disease. Your doctor can suggest ways to help you quit. If you have high cholesterol, high blood pressure, or diabetes, you can take steps to lower your risk for heart disease.

Your health care team should test your blood levels of cholesterol at least once every 4 to 6 years. If you have already been diagnosed with high cholesterol or have a family history of the condition, you may need to have your cholesterol checked more often.

Talk with your health care team about this simple blood test. If you have high cholesterol, medicines and lifestyle changes can help reduce your risk for heart disease. High blood pressure usually has no symptoms, so have it checked on a regular basis.

Your health care team should measure your blood pressure at least once every 2 years if you have never had high blood pressure or other risk factors for heart disease. If you have been diagnosed with high blood pressure, also called hypertension, your health care team will measure your blood pressure more often to make sure you have the condition under control.

Talk with your health care team about how often you should check your blood pressure. If you have high blood pressure, your health care team might recommend some changes in your lifestyle, such as lowering the sodium in your diet; your doctor may also prescribe medicine to help lower your blood pressure.

If you have diabetes, monitor your blood sugar levels carefully. Talk with your health care team about treatment options. Your doctor may recommend certain lifestyle changes to help keep your blood sugar under control.

These actions will help reduce your risk for heart disease. Never stop taking your medicine without first talking to your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist. You and your health care team can work together to prevent or treat the medical conditions that lead to heart disease.

Discuss your treatment plan regularly, and bring a list of questions to your appointments. Talk with your health care team about how heart disease and mental health disorders are related. Your treatment plan may include medicines or surgery and lifestyle changes to reduce your risk.

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Request Appointment. Strategies to prevent heart disease. Products and services. Strategies to prevent heart disease You can help prevent heart disease by following a heart-healthy lifestyle.

By Mayo Clinic Staff. Thank you for subscribing! Sorry something went wrong with your subscription Please, try again in a couple of minutes Retry.

Show references Know your risk for heart disease. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Accessed May 15, Heart disease facts. Hennekens CH.

Overview of primary prevention of coronary heart disease and stroke. How to prevent heart disease at any age. American Heart Association. Heart-healthy lifestyle changes. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. Smokeless tobacco: Health effects.

How smoking affects heart health. Food and Drug Administration. Benefits of quitting. American Lung Association. Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans.

Department of Health and Human Services. How does sleep affect your heart health? Sleep apnea. Screening, immunization, and prevention child. Mayo Clinic; Screening, immunization, and prevention adult.

Sleep and chronic disease. Hypertension adult. Lopez-Jimenez F expert opinion. June 19, Stress and heart health. Accessed June 20, Blood cholesterol: Diagnosis.

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