Each year 1 in 4 deaths in the U.S. are caused by heart disease. It is the leading cause of death for American adults. Around 720,000 Americans will have a heart attack this year.

What's concerning is that almost half of Americans have at least one of the three key risk factors for heart disease. These include smoking, high blood pressure, and high LDL cholesterol.

In this episode, physical therapist Pamela Bartlo outlines the signs of a heart attack and the risk behaviors for heart disease. She also discusses the healthy behaviors that can help you avoid heart disease.

What happens if you've had a heart attack? She also describes what to expect from the cardiac rehabilitation process.

Download the podcast on iTunes or listen below:

Pamela Bartlo, PT, DPT, is a board-certified clinical specialist in cardiovascular and pulmonary physical therapy. She is full time faculty at D'Youville College in Buffalo and also works at Mount Saint Mary's Hospital in Lewisville, New York. She provides outpatient and cardiac and pulmonary rehabilitation. She has also been involved in research on cardiac disease, heart failure, and exercise for those with intellectual disabilities.