The leading cause of death in the United States is a heart and vascular disease called cardiovascular disease. This type of heart disease occurs when a “substance called plaque builds up in the arteries that supply blood to the heart” (CAD). This plaque is made up of excess cholesterol which becomes embedded in the internal walls of the coronary arteries of the heart. When this happens, it causes a condition called atherosclerosis, "the gradual buildup of plaque in the blood vessels that supply your heart" (HealthiNation), preventing these arteries from dilating properly and providing the blood flow necessary for the heart to function properly. heart. This narrowing and hardening of artery walls can lead to “heart attack, chest pain (angina), or stroke” (Staff) that kills half a million Americans a year. Contributing to risk factors that an individual cannot change and the absence of symptoms appearing too late, the symptoms of cardiovascular disease can disrupt the regular movements of the heart. However, the outcomes that arise from these immutable factors can spark a conscious effort to prolong their lives by managing their lifestyle. The severity of an individual's response to cardiovascular disease is primarily attributed to the composition of their DNA. The development of cardiovascular disease is sometimes unavoidable because an individual's age, gender, and heredity can increase the risk of complications from heart disease. Age, contrary to popular belief, has shown that the influence of these factors develops earlier due to "our pitifully degraded, artificial and overly processed food supply, the early stages of heart disease have been shown to begin actually in childhood.” (Integrated). Opposed to the middle-aged population who have been large...... middle of paper ...... living a longer life than would be expected if they continued on the path of unhealthy habits. Works Cited “Cardiovascular Disease Prevention & Management.” Prevention and management of heart and vascular diseases. NP, 2013. Web. December 7, 2013. “Coronary Artery Disease (CAD). » Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, December 7, 2009. Web. December 05, 2013.HealthiNation. "What is heart disease? (Part 1 of 3) | HealthiNation." YouTube. YouTube, January 20, 2012. Web. December 7, 2013. “Symptoms and Signs of Heart Disease – WebMD.” WebMD. WebMD, 2013. Web. December 8, 2013. "Integrated Supplements Blog." Integrated Supplements Blog. Integrated Supplements, July 5, 2007. Web. December 7, 2013. Staff, Mayo Clinic. "Definition." Mayo Clinic. Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, January 16, 2013. Web. December 5. 2013.