Usually, stress is something the heart-health conscious try to avoid. But medical stress tests are some of the best ways to determine the health and efficiency of a person’s heart.

High blood pressure—the very phrase is enough to, well, make your blood pressure rise. Recent estimates published on the American Heart Association Web site indicate that one in three Americans live with high blood pressure, also known as hypertension. Because high blood pressure typically has no symptoms, only one-third of those people know they have high blood pressure. Known as the “silent killer,” high blood pressure can wreak havoc on the kidneys, brain, and heart. Luckily, there are simple ways to test and monitor changes in blood pressure to avoid permanent health issues.

Cholesterol is a naturally-occurring substance in the body, but the very mention of it can strike fear in the hearts of the health conscious. A little knowledge can go a long way toward dispelling fears associated with cholesterol.

Each year, approximately 1.2 million Americans suffer a heart attack. Of those 1.2 million, 400,000 will not survive the event. There are steps you can take to improve your chance of survival in the unfortunate event you find yourself or a loved one battling a heart attack.

Also called myocardial infarction, coronary thrombosis, or coronary occlusion, heart attack is characterized by the death of or damage to part of the heart muscle. Such damage occurs if blood flow is blocked by build up on artery walls or a blood clot which cuts off the heart's oxygen supply. Heart attack leaves the heart weakened and unable to properly pump blood to the rest of the body.

The causes of heart attack are complex. Genetic markers for heart disease may predispose a person to heart attack. And while those genetic risk factors may not be controllable, lifestyle choices that can impact a heart's function can be controlled and modified to reduce heart attack risk.

Three years ago, a study presented at the European Society of Cardiology Congress identified nine the most influential and controllable risk factors for heart health. The INTER-HEART study looked at almost 30,000 individuals from around the world, about half of whom had suffered an earlier cardiac event, specifically heart attack, or myocardial infarction.

Heart attack deals a devastating medical blow. It can rob its victims of health and their sense of security. However, recovery is possible in many cases. The process requires detailed planning and long-term dedication, but is well worth the sacrifice. With medical advances and carefully structured cardiac rehabilitation programs, patients can eventually return to normal activity.

Most hospital stays after heart attack last a few days to a week. The same care and treatment given in the hospital should be continued at home. Heart attack sufferers should slowly ease back into work, exercise, and other normal activities under the guidance of their physicians. Returning to previous levels of activity may take a few weeks, or it may take a few months.