Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States and is a major cause of disability. Nearly 59 million Americans have some form of cardiovascular disease, ranging from congenital heart defects to high blood pressure and hardening of the arteries.

In the United States, heart disease is the leading cause of death for both men and women. It affects men and women of all races; however, women account for more than half of the total heart disease deaths.

Here in New York state, heart disease and stroke account for one half of all the deaths per year. Cancer deaths are the second leading killer in New York state, accounting for one-third of all the deaths per year.

Heart disease is irreversible. Once damage is done to the blood vessels and the heart, it then can only be regulated and monitored usually by medication and/or surgery.

Heart disease is a term that includes several more specific heart conditions. The most common heart disease in the United States is coronary heart disease, which can lead to heart attack.

Making yourself aware of the warning signs could be the difference between life and death. Some heart attacks are sudden and intense; however, most heart attacks start slowly, with mild pain or discomfort.

Most men and women, if having a heart attack, will experience one or more of these symptoms:

• Chest discomfort

• Discomfort in other areas of the upper body, including pain or discomfort in one or both arms, the back, neck, jaw or stomach

• Shortness of breath, with or without chest discomfort

• Other signs may include breaking out in a cold sweat, nausea or lightheadedness

Women are more likely than men to experience some of the other common symptoms, such as back or jaw pain, nausea/vomiting, and shortness of breath.

Heart disease ranks as the third leading cause of death among women 25 to 44 years old and the second leading cause of death among women 45 to 64 years old.

If you experience these symptoms it is important to call 911 or have someone take you to the hospital immediately. Every minute counts and even if you are not sure if it is a heart attack it is important to get it checked out just to be sure.

Knowing which factors can increase your risk for heart disease is of equal importance to knowing the symptoms. Factors associated with heart disease are:

• High cholesterol

• High blood pressure

• Obesity

• Diabetes

• Tobacco

• Secondhand smoke

There are other diseases and conditions that put your heart at risk, such as:

• Arrhythmia, which may lead to stroke or sudden death

• Cholesterol, as cholesterol levels rise so does the risk for cardiovascular disease

• Heart attack can cause permanent damage to the heart muscle

• Diabetes increases cardiovascular disease risk by two to four times

• Heart failure inhibits the heart's ability to pump blood

• High blood pressure is the single most important risk factor for stroke

• Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD) can lead to heart attack or stroke

• Obesity is considered a major risk factor for coronary heart disease and heart attack

• Congenital heart disease in adults are defects that may not affect the heart until adulthood

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that 770,000 Americans will have a new coronary attack and about 430,000 will have a recurrent attack in 2008. That means about every 26 seconds, an American will have a coronary event and about one American every minute will die from a coronary event.

Just by knowing the risk factors for heart disease, you are already taking a step toward reducing your risk of becoming disabled or dying from this disease. You have the opportunity to recognize symptoms for yourself or for someone else and make a difference between life and death.

February is American Heart Month and Feb. 15 is recognized as Woman's Heart Day. If you have any questions, you can visit the American Heart Association at www.americanheart.org or the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention at www.cdc.gov. Feel free to contact the Health Department with your questions by calling 253-1560.

Elane Daly is director of Health and Human Services for Cayuga County. She can be reached at 253-1560 or cchealth@dfa.state.ny.us