Heart disease is the number one cause of death and disability in the United States. There are many factors that can cause heart disease. Lifestyle, the food you eat, your family's health history and your overall health condition could be the underlying causes.

Heart disease starts when the arteries harden and become narrow. This blockage in the heart's arteries may be caused by cholesterol buildup. Another cause of heart disease is high blood pressure. When there is less or too much blood flow in the heart, it can either collapse or work too hard.

The heart may starve of oxygen when not enough blood is supplied because of the blockage. This can lead to a heart attack.

Heart attack is said to be the silent killer. Often times when heart attack strikes, it is too late to call the emergency or 911 because there are instances when there are no visible symptoms.

Symptoms of a heart attack may include shortness of breath, nausea or vomiting, anxiety, cough, fainting, dizziness, palpitation and sweating. If you or your family member is experiencing these symptoms, call 911 immediately.

Preventing heart disease is like hitting many birds with one stone. When you aim for a healthy heart, you are also hitting the possible causes of high blood pressure, high cholesterol level and other deadly diseases.

If you suspect that you have a heart disease, there are tests that can help determine it so your doctor can give you a proper diagnosis. The most common test to check the heart is ECG or electrocardiogram. CT scan, coronary angiography, echocardiography, MRI and nuclear ventriculography are some of the other tests you can undergo to check your heart's condition.

Blood tests may also determine if you have a heart disease. Substances produced by damaged heart tissues may be present in the blood. Troponin I and Troponin T, CPK and CPK-MB, and Serum myoglobin can be used to test your blood.

As mentioned earlier, there are a number of factors that can cause heart disease. These factors can also cause other deadly diseases if not monitored and prevented. Medications can help cure heart disease and other underlying causes and complications.

It is advisable to go to your doctor and seek for advice. He/she may recommend treatments as well as healthy practices to help you hit your goal of having a healthy heart.

Heart disease can be prevented in many ways. It takes self-discipline and awareness, coupled with medical tests and treatments. Do not hesitate to ask your doctor about it. The earlier you detect and prevent heart disease, the better your health will be.