Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States. Stroke is the fifth leading cause of death in the United States. Together, heart disease and stroke, along with other cardiovascular disease, are among the most widespread and costly health problems facing the nation today, accounting for approximately $320 billion in health care expenditures and related expenses annually. The leading controllable risk factors for heart disease and stroke are: high blood pressure; high cholesterol; cigarette smoking; diabetes; unhealthy diet and physical inactivity; being overweight and/or obese.
