Heart Disease & Stroke

It can be a shock to find out that you have coronary artery disease. Many people only find out when they have a heart attack. Whether or not you have had a heart attack, there are many things you can do to slow coronary artery disease and reduce your risk of future problems.

Important: Facts

Heart Disease refers to a group of conditions, such as coronary artery disease, that can lead to a heart attack or heart failure. Heart Disease is the most fatal condition in the U.S. for both men and women. All cases of heart disease do not result in a heart attack, but this condition is dangerous and results in a decline in health due to poor blood flow and lack of oxygen which can result in serious issues like stroke. Stoke is a disease that occurs when a blood vessel that moves nutrients and oxygen to the brain bursts or becomes blocked by a clot.

Ways To Keep Your Heart Healthy: With heart disease

  1. Decrease high blood pressure
  2. Decrease high cholesterol levels
  3. Keep diabetes under control
  4. Take heart-medicine as prescribed by your doctor
  5. Take a low-dose aspirin daily as prescribed by your doctor

Symptoms: What are the signs of heart disease?*

There are specific symptoms that present when individuals have heart disease. Although some symptoms differ in women vs. men, there are common conditions that both must be aware of so the decision to seek medical attention is not delayed.

* Source: Center for Disease Control

Arrhythmia Irregular heartbeat
Discomfort Chest pain
Shortness of breath
Swelling of the feet, ankles legs, abdomen, or neck veins
Nausea vomiting, lightheadedness, or dizziness

Prevention: Preventing Heart Disease One Action at a Time

  • Enjoy fresh fruits and vegetables and decrease the fat and salt in your diet
  • Take steps to quit smoking to decrease your risk of heart disease
  • Get regular check ups to monitor high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and diabetes
  • Minimize stress by taking a walk or spending time doing the things you love.

What We Now Know:

Heart Disease is the leading cause of death for most Americans in the United States*

* Source: Center for Disease Control

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  • Every 40 seconds, someone has heart attack
  • Every 37 seconds, someone dies from cardiovascular
  • Around 1 in 4 deaths is related to heart disease

Heart Disease & Stroke Fact Sheet

Download & Share with family and friends. All of our free educational tools include access to our community partners who offer free services to residents of Fulton and Dekalb Counties.

Community Partners

Good Samaritan Health Center

 1015 Donald Lee Hollowell Pkwy
NW Atlanta, GA 30318 
404-523-6571
www.goodsamatlanta.org 

Physicians Care Clinic

440 Winn Way
Decatur, GA 30033
404-501-7940
www.physicianscareclinic.org/

Whitefoord Family Medical

30 Warren St
Atlanta, GA 30317
404-373-2282
www.whitefoord.org/

Urban Health & Wellness

859 Metropolitan Pkwy SW, 
Atlanta, GA 30310
404-618-6983 
www.uhw.clinic/

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