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Carotid artery disease is a disease in which a waxy substance called plaque builds up inside the carotid arteries in either side of the neck. The common carotid arteries divide into internal carotid arteries, which supply oxygen-rich blood to your brain, and external carotid arteries, which supply oxygen-rich blood to your face, scalp, and neck.

The major risk factors for carotid artery disease include diabetes, family history of atherosclerosis, high blood pressure, lack of physical activity, metabolic syndrome, older age, overweight or obesity, smoking, unhealthy blood cholesterol levels, and unhealthy diet.

DASH is a flexible and balanced eating plan that helps create a heart-healthy eating style for life.

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.

If you are living with heart failure, you should follow your lifelong treatment plan, take steps to prevent heart failure from getting worse, plan ahead, and obtain emotional support.

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 more common in people age 65 or older, blacks, people who are overweight, and people who have had a heart attack. Children who have congenital heart defects also can develop heart failure.

People living with mitral valve prolapse should receive ongoing care, take all medicines as prescribed, and make heart-healthy lifestyle choices.

The DASH eating plan is just one key part of a heart-healthy lifestyle, and combining it with other lifestyle changes such as physical activity can help you control your blood pressure and cholesterol.

Most of the metabolic risk factors have no signs or symptoms, although a large waistline is a visible sign. Some people may have symptoms of high blood sugar if diabetes is present.