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Are You at Risk for Heart Disease?

Healthy Hearts, Healthy Homes

National Institutes of Health
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute
And Office of Research on Minority Health

Contents

Be Smart About Your Heart
Cristina Tells Us What She Learned About Heart Disease
Are You at Risk for Heart Disease?
Cristina's Family Takes the Path to Heart Health
Don't Wait!
Take Action!
My Heart Health Card
Play It Smart, Take Care of Your Heart
Resources

Be Smart About Your Heart

Did you know that heart disease is a serious problem among Latinos?

• It is the number one cause of death.
• One in four deaths each year is due to heart disease.

Cristina López will show you how she and her family take care of their hearts.

The Amazing Heart

Your heart is one of your strongest muscles. It pumps blood through miles of blood vessels to all parts of your body. The heart is so important, you want to keep it healthy. When the heart stops, life stops.

A Wake Up Call

Cristina says: "The doctor told me I'd gained 15 pounds in 1 year and that I have high blood pressure. She said that my age, being overweight, and having high blood pressure increase my risk for heart disease."

Next

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Public Health Service
National Institutes of Health
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute
NIH Publication No. 08-6351
June 2008