Heart disease surpasses cancer as leading cause of death for first time in a decade

CONCORD — More than 2,600 New Hampshire residents died from heart disease in 2018, according to the state Department of Health and Human Services, making it the leading cause of death in New Hampshire. That marks the first time in over a decade that heart disease surpassed cancer as the leading cause of death.

February is American Heart Month, making it an ideal time to think about heart health and to learn the major risk factors for preventing heart disease. The focus of this year’s American Heart Month is on high blood pressure, a major risk factor for developing heart disease. One of three adults in the United States has high blood pressure, which may have no symptoms and is known as the silent killer.