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You heart what you beat! That's right you're heart beat is an indicator of your health. Doctors listen to the pace of your heart. But, you can feel it. Yes, your heart quickens its pace when you see your new love. It beats rapidly against a ribbed caged after a morning jog. Well, those are the welcomed rhythms of the heart. There are times though when that "lub-dub" beat is off key. And those moments indicate a doctor's visit.

The American Heart Association reports that heart disease causes over 40% of deaths in the United States. There's no time better than the present to take steps to protect your heart and your health. Educating yourself about the basics of heart disease is a good start. So, how does heart disease develop? Atherosclerosis, a common precipitating factor in heart disease, is a build up of fat, cholesterol or calcium inside blood vessels. Ignored long enough and other cardiovascular problems such as hypertension, coronary artery disease, heart attack and stroke will ensue.

Here's a glance at some common causes of heart disease:

Hypertension (HTN) or high blood pressure occurs when resting pressure is 140/90 or greater meaning that the heart is working harder than usual to pump blood. Many people live for years with hypertension without any symptoms. However, undetected and untreated it may lead to other problems like stroke or heart failure.

Coronary artery disease (CAD) occurs when the heart's blood vessels become narrow on the inside due to disease. The heart will not receive adequate levels of oxygen making it contract poorly. People with CAD may experience chest pains or heart attacks.

Strokes occur most commonly among African-Americans over the age of 55. Strokes have two forms: hemorrhagic or ischemic. Hemorrhagic strokes result when a blood vessel in the brain ruptures. Ischemic strokes occur when a vessel supplying a part of the brain is blocked off by a clot. The lack of oxygen-rich blood results in neurological symptoms (e.g., paralysis).

Heart attacks or myocardial infarction (MI) occurs when a clot blocks one of the coronary arteries. The heart muscle is deprived of oxygen causing the tissue to become damaged. People experiencing a heart attack may feel a heavy, crushing pain in their chest.

Not all heart diseases occur due to poor dietary and lifestyle choices. Congenital heart problems may develop before birth. Congenital heart diseases vary from defects in the walls dividing the heart chambers (atrial or ventricular septal defects)

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