Primary Prevention

Understand what types of risk factors you cannot control and the importance in knowing them so you and your healthcare team can create the best plan for you.

Understand what types of risk factors you can control and the importance in knowing them so you and your healthcare team can make a plan to change them.

Learn the benefits quitting smoking has for the heart.

Watch this to learn how sleep and heart health are related.

Understand the importance of working with your healthcare provider to identify and control your risk factors, in order to lower the risk of serious complications of vascular disease.

Learn how various lifestyle changes can help to lessen your vascular disease risk factors and improve your overall health.

Watch this to recognize the serious complications metabolic syndrome can cause, understand the parts of metabolic syndrome and what lifestyle changes you can make to help manage it.

This is a name we give to a group of conditions. Together, they raise your risk for heart disease, diabetes and stroke. Five conditions make up this syndrome. They are a large waistline, high blood pressure, high blood sugar, a high level of triglycerides (a type of fat found in your blood), and a low level of HDL cholesterol. That's the "good" cholesterol.

The higher your blood cholesterol, the greater your risk for heart attack or stroke. That's why you need to know your cholesterol level.

Some risk factors for heart disease are beyond your control. But others you can control, such as smoking and high blood pressure.

Watch this to learn about blood pressure and your risks for high blood pressure.

Watch this to learn how hypertension (high blood pressure) affects your body.

Measuring your blood pressure is an important tool for tracking your health. If your blood pressure is too high, you're at risk for heart disease, stroke and other serious problems. When it's too low, you can have dizziness, fainting and other issues. But what is considered "normal" pressure?

When your heart beats, it pushes blood through your arteries. This creates pressure against the artery walls. If this pressure is too high, you have high blood pressure. It's a common disease. But if you don't manage it properly, it can cause health problems.

Learn about the risk of high blood pressure and the importance of getting your blood pressure checked regularly.

Watch this to understand the meaning of a blood pressure reading.

Watch this video to learn what pulmonary hypertension is.

Watch this clip to learn about a blood pressure management plan and what can be included in it.

Watch this video to understand how healthy lifestyle changes can help lower blood pressure.

Watch this to know some tips and strategies for living with high blood pressure.

If your doctor says you have high blood pressure, you need to get it under control. It's important for your health. So take it seriously. Prepare to make some changes in your lifestyle. Medications may help, too. Here are some things that will make a difference.

Watch this checklist to learn important do's and don'ts for taking your blood pressure medicine safely.

Watch this video to learn how lifestyle changes can help you manage your high blood pressure.

Watch this to learn about the DASH Eating Plan.

Understand the importance of getting support from your healthcare provider and others while learning to manage your high blood pressure.

Most people get too much sodium in their daily diet. Too much sodium can raise the risk of heart attack and stroke. Let's take a moment to learn more about sodium, and how to eat less of it.

Learn how stress and high blood pressure are related.

Learn about some simple steps to controlling hypertension.

High blood pressure (hypertension) is called the silent killer. This is because many people who have it don't know it. You can take an easy test to see if your blood pressure is too high. If it is high, you can take steps to lower it. Doing so could save your life.

You can take your own blood pressure reading using a digital monitor. Follow these step-by-step directions.

"High blood pressure is known as the silent killer"" because it often has no symptoms. Left uncontrolled "

This is high blood pressure inside your pulmonary arteries. Those are the arteries that carry blood from your heart to your lungs. With this condition, your heart has to work harder to pump blood to your lungs. This is bad for your heart. It can cause serious health problems.

African Americans are at a higher risk for high blood pressure than other ethnic groups. Read on to learn why, and how making certain lifestyle changes can help lower blood pressure.

Watch this to learn about the purpose of a lipid panel.

Watch this to learn about the parts of a cholesterol management plan.

Follow this checklist and stick to these do's and don'ts to help you make that improve your cholesterol levels.

If your doctor tells you your cholesterol is too high, you need to take steps to get it under control. It's important for your health. So take it seriously. You'll likely need to make some changes in your lifestyle. Here are some things that will make a difference.

Watch this to learn how to identify healthy foods to help manage your cholesterol.

Learn how regular physical activity and exercise is a significant part in managing your blood cholesterol.

We know stress is bad for your health. So is high blood pressure. But is there a link between the two? Could the stress you feel be the cause of your high blood pressure? Well, we aren't completely sure, because it's complicated. Let's learn more about stress and blood pressure.

Learn how statin medications work to lower the amount of cholesterol in your blood; lowering your risk of heart attack, stroke and other blood vessel diseases.

Learn to recognize important do's and don'ts for taking your cholesterol medicine safely.

Learn about healthy ways to quit smoking to control your cholesterol and improve your overall health.

Understand how folic acid can help you lower your risk of a heart attack.

Millions of American adults have cholesterol levels higher than the recommended range. Managing your cholesterol is critical to good health. Learn the difference between good and bad cholesterol, and how exercise and diet make a difference.

Watch this to learn about cholesterol and other risk factors for heart disease and ways you can reduce your risk.

High cholesterol can sometimes be treated with a change in diet or increased exercise. Find out what can make a difference.

Making changes to diet and increasing exercise doesn't always lower high cholesterol, doctors often add medications to help reach the goal. Find out about the different options available.

This test measures the amount of cholesterol in your blood. What's cholesterol? It's a waxy, fat-like substance. It's made by your liver. It also comes from the foods you eat. Your body needs cholesterol to function properly. But too much of the wrong kind of cholesterol can lead to atherosclerosis, heart attack and stroke.

High cholesterol is called hypercholesterolemia. Cholesterol and dietary fat are not the same thing. It's important to understand how the fat in your diet affects your cholesterol levels.