You may have seen the headlines: Fewer people are dying from heart attacks.
And while that’s good news, it doesn’t mean heart disease is going away.
Here’s what you need to know to protect your heart health, according to Heather Swales, MD, cardiologist with Hartford HealthCare Heart & Vascular Institute.
Heart attack deaths are dropping.
According to a study in the Journal of the American Heart Association, deaths from heart attacks have dropped significantly over the past five decades.
“There are a few big reasons for this,” says Dr. Swales. “We’ve gotten better at identifying heart attacks early with improved testing, and we’ve developed more effective treatments – like stents and medications – that save lives.”
Plus, awareness about heart attack symptoms is also improving.
“We know, for example, that heart attacks don’t always present the same way in women,” Dr. Swales adds. “More people now recognize the early warning signs and seek care sooner, which can improve outcomes.”
> Related: What Heart Attacks Look Like in Women
But, other heart conditions are on the rise.
While heart attacks may be on the decline, there are actually more people dying from other heart-related conditions.
“In many ways, this is the result of progress,” Dr. Swales explains. “People are surviving their heart attacks, but they’re going on to live with chronic conditions like high blood pressure, abnormal heart rhythms or heart failure – which can still lead to serious outcomes.”
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6 ways to take control of your heart health.
Even with heart attacks on the decline, heart disease remains the leading cause of death in the United States.
“There’s still a lot of work to do,” says Dr. Swales. “And long-term prevention and management are more important than ever.”
Start with these simple steps:
- Know your numbers: Track your blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar.
- Quit smoking: It’s one of the best things you can do for your heart.
- Get moving: Aim for 150 minutes of aerobic exercise per week.
- Eat smart: Focus on fruits, veggies, whole grains and healthy fats.
- Ease stress: Protect your heart by finding ways to recharge – like meditation, yoga, therapy or anything that helps you prioritize your well-being.
- Don’t skip checkups: Annual visits can catch problems early – even before symptoms show up.
> Related: 4 Ways to Make Your Heart Stronger
When to see a doctor.
If you have risk factors like high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol or a family history of heart disease, don’t wait – talk to your primary care provider.
They can:
- Check your heart health with scans or tests.
- Create a plan to lower your risk.
- Prescribe and manage heart medications.
- Connect you with support to quit smoking or manage stress.
If you’re already living with a heart condition or at high risk, your provider may refer you to a cardiologist for more specialized care.
“Partnering with your healthcare provider can make a real difference,” says Dr. Swales. “There’s so much we can do to help reduce risk and protect your long-term heart health.”
> Related: 5 Signs You Might Need a Cardiologist
