Heart Disease

Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of mortality worldwide. As cigarette smoking continues An older man rides an exercise bike while taking an aerobic capacity test, one of a number of cardiac tests that can be used to determine if the warning signs of heart disease are present. (Photo Researchers, Inc.) to be a status symbol in developing countries, this ranking is expected to continue well into twenty-first century. Heart disease rates increase with age, and older adults have worse outcomes and face special problems, including unusual disease presentation, increasing complications, and particular effects on daily activities and quality of life.

The heart is a muscle in the center of the chest. It is approximately the size of a fist and pumps blood throughout the body, working continuously and requiring a large blood supply. The heart can function through a large range of demands, from sleep to vigorous activity.