According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention website, the leading cause of death for men and women in the U.S. is heart disease.

In a 2015 study, the CDC stated heart disease claimed the lives of 24.4 percent of males of all ages. As for women, it claimed 22.3 percent. 

Besides heart attacks, what other heart diseases are there? But first what is heart disease? 

The Mayo Clinic website describes heart disease as “conditions that involve narrowed or blocked blood vessels that can lead to a heart attack, chest pain (angina) or stroke. 

Other heart conditions, such as those that affect your heart’s muscle, valves or rhythm, also are considered forms of heart disease.” 

Basically, it refers to any abnormality of the heart.

Many heart diseases are present at birth such as Congenital heart disease/defect (CHD). CHD is a deformity of the heart which affects how blood flows through the heart.

Other heart problems are treatable and even preventable with lifestyle choices. 

Activities such as smoking, obesity, heavy drinking, eating junk foods and having a sedentary lifestyle can increase the likelihood of developing some type of heart disease. 

You should love your body because it does so much for you without you even realizing. It’s crazy. 

The best way you could repay your body is if you do all the stuff listed above but with self- control. 

If you smoke Marlboros every day, you are spending hundreds of dollars and you are getting no benefit just yellow teeth and smelling bad. 

If you decide to quit, you can be a part of Philip Morris’ life insurance firm that will offer you a discount for quitting. LOL! 

Alternatively, you can try smoking cannabis. 

Not only does it fuck with your lungs, at least you’ll feel something. 

Plus, it has so much health benefits like helping with chronic pain, treating symptoms of mental illnesses, and a good case of the giggles.

If you love junk food like me you should try eating more fruit. 

If you are picky, there are about 2,000 types of fruit around the world from juicy, crunchy to tart. 

They’re so delicious and versatile! 

Make your own concoction of a smoothie or chop some fruit up and add some tajin. guaranteed to make your mouth water. 

As for vegetables, mmm, you can steam broccoli and cauliflower, or you can slice up some cucumbers and add lemon, salt or hot sauce. 

As a fellow couch potato, I urge you to join me in some light stretching during commercials while watching Superstore on Hulu. 

Lastly, if you’re an alcoholic I can’t help you. 

That’s a serious chronic issue. You should get some professional help, but if you just like getting shit-faced every weekend, ok just remember how you want to feel the next day.

The most important thing I can say for men and women is to listen to your body! It’s trying to tell you something.

Men and women experience similar but different heart disease symptoms. Men should watch out for chest pain or tightness, heartburn, nausea or vomiting and sweating. 

Women should look for nausea and extreme fatigue, arm and neck pain, anxiety and appetite loss, and shortness of breath.