Overview: Is that twinge in your chest heartburn or a heart problem? In 2006, more than 600,000 Americans-26% of all deaths in the US that year-died of heart disease, making it our nation's #1 killer. Now, Mayo Clinic provides a comprehensive, step by-step plan to reduce the risks and life-changing effects of heart disease. In The Mayo Clinic Healthy Heart for Life!, Mayo Clinic provides up-to-date, clinically proven information that addresses the key causes of heart disease and provides clear, actionable advice in an easy-to follow format, including: The three key actions you can take in a quick-start plan to help you jump-start your way to heart health -- A heart-health assessment to help you create your own customized plan -- An easy-to-follow program designed for life-long heart health -- Tools to help you determine your risk for heart disease -- Information on how to recognize symptoms of heart disease-and what to do about them -- Background on cholesterol's role and info on how you can minimize the effects of bad cholesterol and enhance your levels of good cholesterol -- How to talk to your doctor about heart concerns and what to expect during a medical evaluation -- How heart disease symptoms can be different in women, and other special concerns for women -- How to raise heart-healthy children -- and more.
