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Conditions that damage or overwork the heart muscle can cause the heart to weaken, including coronary heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, other heart conditions, and other factors.

Heart failure is a condition in which the heart can't pump enough blood to meet the body's needs because it can't fill with enough blood and/or can't pump blood to the rest of the body with enough force.

After a heart attack, you'll need treatment for coronary heart disease to help prevent another heart attack. Your doctor may recommend lifestyle changes, medicines, and a cardiac rehabilitation program.

Lowering your risk factors for coronary heart disease—through heart-healthy lifestyle changes and ongoing medical care—can help you prevent a heart attack.

Your doctor will diagnose a heart attack based on your signs and symptoms, your medical and family histories, and results from one or more tests: electrocardiogram (EKG), blood tests, and coronary angiography.

The symptoms of a heart attack can vary from person to person. The most common symptoms include chest pain or discomfort, upper body discomfort, and shortness of breath.

Certain risk factors make it more likely that you'll develop coronary heart disease and have a heart attack. Risk factors you can control include smoking, high blood pressure, high blood cholesterol, overweight and obesity, unhealthy diet, lack of physical activity, and high blood sugar due to insulin resistance or diabetes. Risk factors you can’t control include age, family history of early heart disease, and preeclampsia.

A heart attack happens if the flow of oxygen-rich blood to a section of heart muscle suddenly becomes blocked and the heart can't get oxygen. Most heart attacks occur as a result of coronary heart disease. A less common cause is a severe spasm of the coronary artery.

A heart attack happens when the flow of oxygen-rich blood to a section of heart muscle suddenly becomes blocked and the heart can’t get oxygen. If you think you or someone else may be having heart attack symptoms or a heart attack, call 9–1–1 for emergency medical care.

Understanding the DASH eating plan will help you start and follow this plan for life.