Cardiovascular Health, Cardiovascular Disease, and Lifestyle

Heart disease is the leading cause of death and morbidity in the United States. Cardiovascular disease (CVD), including stroke, claims more lives than cancer, chronic lower respiratory disease, and accidents combined. More than 1 in 3 adults in the United States have one or more types of CVD, including high blood pressure (hypertension), coronary heart disease (CHD), heart failure, and stroke. Estimated lifetime risk of CVD at age 40 is approximately 2 in 3 for men and more than 1 in 2 for women.

Much of the incidence of CVD and associated chronic diseases can be attributed to modifiable behaviors or conditions—known as risk factors—such as nutritional choices, physical inactivity, overweight and obesity, smoking, dyslipidemia, hypertension, and diabetes. Large population studies of women and men have ...