There are several types of heart disease, including coronary heart disease, rheumatic heart disease, hypertensive heart disease, diseases of pulmonary circulation, heart failure, cardiomyopathy, and dysrhythmias. Coronary heart disease is the most common form of heart disease, and can result in angina and myocardial infarction (heart attack).  

Heart disease can often be prevented by controlling underlying risk factors, primary prevention efforts or by early identification and treatment of risk factors. In 2000, heart disease was the most common cause of death in Michigan responsible for 27,474 or 32% of all deaths. One in six deaths occurred in persons less than 65. In 2000, there were 158,033 hospital admissions due to DOH. Almost 38% were to patients less than 65 years old.