What are the most common types of heart disease?

The most common type of heart disease in the United States is coronary artery disease, according to the CDC. Another common type is rheumatic heart disease, says the World Heart Federation.

Regular exercise, a healthy diet and sometimes medication reduce the chances of getting coronary artery disease, says the CDC. Keeping a healthy weight, not smoking and avoiding excessive drinking also help. Rheumatic heart disease occurs after at least one attack of rheumatic fever, which hurts the heart valves, explains the World Heart Federation. This disease typically begins in childhood. Other common types of heart diseases are hypertensive, ischemic, cerebrovascular and inflammatory.