Heart Disease

Heart Disease

Group of adults power walking

Heart disease and cardiovascular disease, or CVD, are both terms that refer to several types of heart conditions, including coronary heart disease, heart attack and stroke. The most common type of heart disease is coronary artery disease, also known as coronary heart disease. CVD, including coronary heart disease and stroke, is the second leading cause of death in Vermont.

The prevalence of heart disease varies by location around the state. In 2014, about 7% of adults were diagnosed with some form of heart disease. More than half have at least one of the key risk factors:

  • high blood pressure (hypertension)
  • high cholesterol
  • smoking

To see how we're doing in Vermont: Heart Disease & Stroke Performance Scorecard 

Heart Disease & 3-4-50 – Family history and three behaviors play the biggest role in determining whether a person will develop heart disease. 3 behaviors (tobacco use, physical inactivity and poor nutrition) lead to 4 diseases (cancer, heart disease and stroke, type 2 diabetes, and lung disease), resulting in more than 50% of deaths among Vermonters. Find out more about 3-4-50

In This Section

Here is information about heart disease, risk factors, blood pressure, prevention, monitoring and treatment, plus tools and resources for individuals and families.

Heart disease, or cardiovascular disease, affects women differently than men. Find important information and resources – like You First – especially for women.

More than half of Vermonters have at least one of the risk factors for cardiovascular disease: high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or smoking. Here are resources for health professionals and patients.