Heart disease can be prevented and controlled through lifestyle changes and medication. Controlling risk factors such as high cholesterol, high blood pressure, and obesity through lifestyle changes can be done at the same time. Adding more physical activity may lower blood pressure, help control diabetes, relieve stress, and control weight. To maintain a healthy lifestyle, it is important to follow a healthy diet, be physically active, maintain a healthy weight, do not use tobacco, and control stress. 
Each type of heart disease has different symptoms, although many symptoms may be similar, it is important to recognize what symptoms are occurring and the situations that are causing them. Contact a doctor if new symptoms appear or if symptoms become more frequent or severe. 

Coronary Heart Disease, also called Coronary Artery Disease, is the narrowing of blood vessels that supply oxygen and blood to the heart. The most common symptom of Coronary Artery Disease is angina, which is described as a heaviness, pressure, burning, or painful feeling in the chest. It is often mistaken for indigestion or heartburn. Other symptoms of coronary artery disease may also include shortness of breath, heart palpitations, rapid heartbeat, dizziness or weakness, nausea, and sweating. 

It is crucial to differentiate between what symptoms are being experienced. If symptoms are pointing to a heart attack, emergency medical attention is needed immediately. A heart attack occurs when the blood vessels that supply blood to the heart become blocked, which prevents oxygen from getting to the heart. The heart muscle then dies or becomes permanently damaged. Symptoms of a heart attack or myocardial infarction, may include: discomfort, heaviness, or pain in the chest, arm, or below the breastbone, discomfort in the back, jaw, throat, or arm, fullness or indigestion (may feel a lot like heartburn), sweating, nausea, vomiting, or dizziness, extreme weakness, shortness of breath, and rapid or irregular heartbeats. Symptoms of a heart attack typically last 30 minutes or longer and are not relieved by oral medication. 

An arrhythmia is a disorder of the heart rate or rhythm, such as beating too rapidly (tachycardia), beating too slowly (bradycardia), or beating irregularly. Abnormal heart rhythm, or arrhythmias, have symptoms which may include: palpitations, feeling of pounding in the chest, dizziness or light-headedness, fainting, shortness of breath, chest discomfort, and weakness or fatigue. 

Atrial fibrillation is a form of an arrhythmia. Most people with Atrial Fibrillation have a rapid, irregular heartbeat. Some of the common symptoms are: heart palpitations, lack of energy, dizziness, chest discomfort, and shortness of breath.

Cardiomyopathy occurs when there is a weakening of heart muscle or change in muscle structure in the heart. It is often attributed to inadequate heart pumping or other heart problems. Heart muscle disease often has no symptoms or minor symptoms. Most people live normal lives. For those who do experience symptoms, they may occur at any age and may include: chest pain or pressure with exercise of physical activity and after meals, swelling of lower extremities, fatigue, fainting, and palpitations.

When it comes to the heart, do not take chances—call a doctor!