Article by Mindy Toran. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, heart disease is the No. 1 killer of Americans today. Nearly 2,400 people die each day from heart and blood vessel diseases, and more than 7 million Americans have suffered a heart attack in their lifetime, according to the American Heart Association. But there are many things you can do to prevent heart disease and to live a heart-healthy life, even if you are at high risk for heart disease. [more]