According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), about 647,000 Americans die from heart disease a year a total of one in every four deaths making it the leading cause of death in the US.

Heart disease encompasses a range of heart health problems. For example, you may know someone who has had a heart attack, but this is just one of many types of heart disease. Most of the time, heart disease does not display obvious symptoms, which can make it difficult to recognize.

But with routine doctor visits, you can understand your risk for heart disease and work to prevent serious health complications. Here's what you should know.

Heart disease refers to a group of conditions that directly affect the heart muscle, or the surrounding arteries, which supply the heart with blood. Multiple types of heart disease can occur together, and having one can increase your risk for developing another.

An arrhythmia is when there are irregularities with your heart rate or rhythm. Your heart rate is controlled by the sinus node a group of cells located on top of your heart that send electrical signals to keep the heart beating properly.

Usually, a normal resting heart rate is around 60 bpm to 100 bpm. If it's consistently higher or lower, it may indicate that your heart's electrical system is malfunctioning.

These are the two main types of arrhythmias:

Coronary heart disease, also known as ischemic heart disease, is when your coronary arteries become damaged over time. It is the most common type of heart disease, and according to the CDC, it led to more than 365,000 deaths in 2017.

Usually, the coronary arteries bring blood to your heart, providing it with oxygen and vital nutrients. But coronary heart disease occurs when cholesterol builds up and narrows these arteries a process called atherosclerosis and blocks blood flow to the heart.

A heart attack, or myocardial infarction, occurs when blood flow to the heart is interrupted, damaging the heart muscle. According to the CDC, someone has a heart attack every 40 seconds in the US.

About 14% of heart attacks are fatal. Heart attacks are typically not as dangerous as cardiac arrest, which are fatal 89% of the time. Read more about the difference between a heart attack and cardiac arrest here.

There are often clear signs of a heart attack, such as:

While anyone can feel these main symptoms of a heart attack, women may be more likely to feel other, more subtle symptoms. This chart breaks down the difference in heart attacks signs for males and females:

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If you think you or someone you know is having a heart attack, you should call 911 and seek medical attention immediately.

However, about 20% of heart attacks don't have any clear symptoms this is called a silent heart attack and may go entirely unnoticed.

Congenital heart disease is when you are born with a heart defect. While there are many different types, it is mainly the result of poor heart valve or blood vessel development while in the womb.

According to the CDC, about 1.4 million US adults and 1 million children are living with congenital heart disease. While people with congenital heart disease don't always show symptoms, doctors look for signs like a heart murmur, or abnormal blood flow through the heart for a diagnosis.

Heart failure, or congestive heart failure, is when your heart function deteriorates over time and no longer pumps blood efficiently. It often occurs in people with coronary heart disease who have ignored treatment for years.

However, heart failure does not mean that your heart has stopped beating. According to the CDC, about 6.5 million US adults live with the condition.

Most of the time, heart disease develops without any obvious symptoms. That's why it's important to visit your doctor for routine check-ups, as they'd be able to determine whether you might be at risk.

In fact, the signs of a heart attack are sometimes the only symptoms of heart disease. But some people may feel less oppressive chest pain at other times. This is called angina, and it often occurs after physical exertion, getting worse over time as your heart disease develops.

But it can be difficult to know if your chest pains are serious and symptomatic of heart disease. For example, indigestion or heartburn, as well as anxiety, can produce chest pain that may be mistaken for angina or a heart attack.

To know if you have heart disease, it's important to understand your risk factors. Overall, two of the main causes of heart disease are high blood pressure and high cholesterol.

High blood pressure, or hypertension, is when blood pumps too forcefully, hardening your arteries and leading to decreased blood flow to the heart. About 70% of people having their first heart attack will have hypertension. Learn more about the risks of high blood pressure here.

A doctor will be able to measure blood pressure readings at a routine check-up. These numbers can help indicate your risk for developing heart disease:

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High cholesterol can also limit blood flow through a disease called atherosclerosis, which is the build-up of plaque in your arteries. Atherosclerosis is one of the main causes of coronary artery disease, the most common type of heart disease.

The following factors can lead to high blood pressure or high cholesterol, and greatly increase your risk for heart disease:

Other underlying health conditions such as obesity, diabetes, and kidney disease can also increase your risk for heart disease.

Even if you have many of these risk factors, it's not too late to prevent heart disease. The best way to do this is by taking steps to lower blood pressure and lower cholesterol. Here's how:

Unfortunately, there is no cure for heart disease. But if you've been diagnosed, there are many ways to treat your condition and manage a healthy life.

It will be necessary to get regular physical activity, maintain a healthy weight, and adopt eating plans and other lifestyle habits that keep your blood pressure and cholesterol under control.

Many people will also need the help of medication or surgery to prevent more serious health complications, or death.

These medications are prescribed to treat different aspects of heart disease:

In advanced cases of heart disease, you may need surgery to fix blocked arteries or an irregular heartbeat. Here are the most common and effective surgical procedures for heart disease:

Heart disease is the biggest killer in the US, but it doesn't have to be. To reduce your risk for serious health complications, it's important to take your heart health seriously.

That means routinely checking in with your doctor about blood pressure and cholesterol levels, and following the guidelines for a heart healthy lifestyle. Medical experts know how to fight against heart disease, and by following these recommendations, you can, too.

This articlewas medically reviewedbyJohn Osborne, MD, PhD, and the Director of Cardiology for Dallas-basedState of the Heart Cardiology.

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