Last Updated: September 29, 2025
World Heart Day is September 29. Richmond and Henrico Health Districts (RHHD) remind you to add healthy habits into your daily lives to prevent your risk of heart disease and stroke. Heart disease is the number one cause of death in Virginia. Simple lifestyle changes can decrease your risk of experiencing heart-related issues.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that the most common type of heart disease in the United States is coronary artery disease, which can lead to heart attack. In the United States, someone has a heart attack every 40 seconds.
“Heart disease is the leading cause of death in both Richmond City and Henrico County, and our region has higher hospitalizations rates for heart disease and hypertension than the state average,” said Richmond and Henrico Health Districts Population Health Manager Tamara Jones-Groves. “Small steps like eating healthy, staying active, and getting regular check-ups with a healthcare provider can save lives.”
High blood pressure is a major risk factor for heart disease and stroke. Other leading preventable risk factors include:
- High LDL (bad) cholesterol
- Smoking
- Poor nutrition
- Physical inactivity
- Type 2 diabetes
- Obesity
If you have a heart attack, you are more likely to survive if you know the signs and symptoms. The major symptoms of a heart attack include:
- Pain or discomfort in the jaw, neck, or back
- Feeling weak, light-headed, or faint
- Chest pain or discomfort
- Pain or discomfort in the arms or shoulder
- Shortness of breath
If you think that you or someone you know is having a heart attack, you should call 911 immediately.
The Richmond City and Henrico County communities identified chronic disease, including heart disease, as an area of concern in the 2024 RHHD Community Health Assessment (CHA). RHHD is working with these communities to create a Community Health Improvement Plan (CHIP) to address this priority area, among others. For more information about the CHA and CHIP, visit the RHHD website.
For more information about heart disease, visit the Virginia Department of Health Heart Disease webpage. Visit rhhd.gov for more health and safety information. Follow RHHD on Instagram (@richmondcity_hd) and Facebook.