As plaque builds up it narrows your coronary arteries, decreasing blood flow to your heart. This decreased blood flow can cause chest pain, shortness of breath, palpitations and sweating. A complete blockage can lead to a heart attack.

A high-sodium diet can lead to high blood pressure, which is a major risk factor for heart disease and stroke. Limiting sodium is a key part of a heart-healthy diet. Skip the table salt, limit processed and canned foods and opt for low-sodium condiments.

Research shows that people with long-term depression, anxiety or stress can experience physiologic effects on the heart. These may include increased levels of cortisol, increased heart rate and blood pressure and decreased blood flow to the heart. Long-term physiological effects can result in heart disease and metabolic disease.

Treatment for heart disease depends on your condition, and may include antiplatelet drugs, anticoagulants, beta blockers, nitrates, calcium channel blockers and others.

Exercising for at least 30 minutes a day five days a week has been found to be beneficial to heart health. Exercise can help keep blood vessels open, increase HDL ("good") cholesterol levels, reduce LDL ("bad") cholesterol levels and boost the heart’s ability to pump blood.