Heart disease is a leading cause of death in the United States. There are many different types of heart disease—some are congenital (people are born with them) and others develop over the course of time and affect people later in life.

Read our in-depth reports on various types of heart disease:

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Brush your teeth: it's good for your heart

When bacteria from your gums get into your blood, it can spell trouble for your heart. How can you protect your gums and your heart from disease?

Tips for reducing stress in your life Animation Movie Available

Many people feel stress often; some even feel it as a part of their daily lives. Stress has been implicated as a possible cause of—or at least exacerbating some of the symptoms of—numerous conditions, including coronary artery disease.

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Reducing your risk of heart disease when you have diabetes

New studies indicate that, because diabetes can cause damage to the heart and blood vessels, controlling cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors is equally important as controlling blood glucose.

Seven sizzling ways to stop smoking

Quitting smoking is one of the most daunting challenges you'll face in your life. It's an addiction that is both physical and psychological, but quitting smoking can be done.

Weight loss: what are your options? Animation Movie Available

Being overweight is closely linked to many very serious health conditions, most particularly risk factors for heart disease and stroke. Fortunately, even modest reductions in weight can help improve these conditions.

Cardiac arrest in healthy, young athletes

Learn what sudden cardiac arrest is, what the causes are, and why young athletes are at risk.

Homocysteine: another risk factor for heart disease?

Elevated levels of homocysteine, an amino acid found in all humans, may be a risk factor for heart disease. Here we review some fascinating new research highlighting how you can lower your homocysteine levels—and possibly your risk for heart disease—by making some very simple dietary changes.

Risk factors for heart trouble: where do they end?

It seems that science keeps discovering ways by which men and women can increase or decrease their odds in cardiac roulette. What do you need to know?

The immune system and organ transplant: what you should know

True or false: eating dark chocolate can lower your risk of cancer and cardiovascular disease

"Chocolate is good for you” sounds like an obvious entry in the “too good to be true” hall of fame. But a significant body of evidence supports this statement. So chocolate lovers can indulge their cravings—to a point—without too much guilt.

American Heart Association National Center

http://www.americanheart.org

The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute

http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health