Heart disease has been the #1 cause of death in America for over 100 years — yet more than half of adults don't know it. In this episode of the Over 50 Health & Wellness Podcast, host Mark Sullivan shares the simple daily habits that protect your heart after 50, in plain, friendly language. No fear, no gimmicks — just what actually works.

Learn the "silent killer" blood pressure number to know, how to finally understand good vs. bad cholesterol, the heart-protective habits that fight multiple risk factors at once, and the heart attack warning signs everyone over 50 should memorize — including the subtler symptoms in women. Backed by the CDC, American Heart Association, and Mayo Clinic.

In this episode:• Why heart disease is so preventable — and how much control you really have• Your most important number: blood pressure, explained• Good vs. bad cholesterol (LDL vs. HDL) made simple• Heart attack warning signs — and why women's can look different• What to expect at a heart check-up• 3 simple things you can start this week

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This episode is for education and encouragement only and is not medical advice. Know your numbers and review them with your doctor. If you think you may be having a heart attack, call 911 immediately.

• Heart disease is the #1 cause of death (683,491 deaths, 2024) and has been since 1921; ~51% of adults don't know this; ~46.7% of adults have high blood pressure, ~38% of them unaware; heart attack every ~40 seconds: CDC, FastStats Leading Causes of Death — https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/fastats/deaths.htm · American Heart Association, 2024 Heart Disease and Stroke Statistics (via AHA Newsroom/ScienceDaily) — https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/01/240124132843.htm
• Life's Essential 8; blood pressure categories (optimal <120/80; elevated 120–129; stage 1 at 130–139 or 80–89); sodium reduction; activity 150 min/week; quitting smoking cuts coronary heart disease risk 50% in one year: American Heart Association, Life's Essential 8 — https://www.heart.org/en/healthy-living/healthy-lifestyle/lifes-essential-8 · Blood Pressure Explained — https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/high-blood-pressure/blood-pressure-explained · Heart Attack Symptoms in Women — https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/heart-attack/warning-signs-of-a-heart-attack/heart-attack-symptoms-in-women
• Coronary artery disease / plaque buildup process; heart attack warning signs (chest discomfort, upper-body pain, shortness of breath, cold sweat/nausea/lightheadedness); women's symptoms; "when in doubt call 911": American Heart Association, Warning Signs of a Heart Attack — https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/heart-attack/warning-signs-of-a-heart-attack · CDC, About Heart Attack — https://www.cdc.gov/heart-disease/about/heart-attack.html · Mayo Clinic, Heart Attack Symptoms & Causes — https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/heart-attack/symptoms-causes/syc-20373106
• Cholesterol: LDL ("bad") vs. HDL ("good"), triglycerides, lipid panel, "lower is better" for LDL with individualized goals, no symptoms, ~every-5-years screening starting point: American Heart Association, HDL/LDL Cholesterol and Triglycerides — https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/cholesterol/hdl-good-ldl-bad-cholesterol-and-triglycerides · Harvard Health, How Low Should LDL Go — https://www.health.harvard.edu/heart-health/how-low-should-ldl-cholesterol-go