What is heart disease?

Heart disease - also called cardiovascular disease and coronary heart disease - is a simple term used to describe several problems related to plaque buildup in the walls of the arteries, or atherosclerosis. As the plaque builds up, the arteries narrow, making it more difficult for blood to flow and creating a risk for heart attack or stroke.

Other types of heart disease include heart failure, an irregular heartbeat - or arrhythmia - and heart valve problems. To learn more about heart disease and conditions that can lead to heart disease, heart attack or stroke visit the American Heart Association at www.heart.org external link.

Want some New Year's inspiration? Watch the story of Danny Klein's journey to live a heart-healthy lifestyle after his quadruple bypass surgery.


Office of Cancer Control and Prevention logo "The Sussex Warren County Regional Chronic Disease Coalition is made possible by a grant from the New Jersey Department of Health, Office of Cancer Control and Prevention. The mission of the Sussex Warren County Regional Chronic Disease Coalition is to implement the New Jersey Comprehensive Cancer Control Plan in Sussex and Warren County. For more information on Comprehensive Cancer Control in New Jersey, please visit: OCCP external link."