Heart Disease and Stroke in Grand Rapids, Michigan

Heart disease and stroke are both types of cardiovascular disease. Your cardiovascular system (also called the circulatory system) includes your heart and all the blood vessels that carry blood throughout your body. The health of this system is strongly influenced by your everyday choices.

In Grand Rapids and across West Michigan, heart disease and stroke remain leading causes of death and disability. Cold winters, seasonal activity changes, and common conditions like high blood pressure and diabetes all affect cardiovascular risk for people living in the Grand Rapids area.

How Common Are Heart Disease and Stroke?

Across the United States, cardiovascular disease is responsible for roughly one in three deaths. Michigan follows a similar pattern, with heart disease and stroke among the top causes of death. In the Grand Rapids metro area (Kent County and surrounding communities), many hospital admissions each year are related to:

  • Heart attacks and chest pain
  • Stroke and transient ischemic attacks (TIAs or “mini-strokes”)
  • Complications of high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and diabetes

Major health systems in Grand Rapids that diagnose and treat heart disease and stroke include:

  • Corewell Health (formerly Spectrum Health) in Grand Rapids – including the Meijer Heart Center
  • Trinity Health Grand Rapids
  • University of Michigan Health-West (Metro Health)
  • Mercy Health (now part of Trinity/Corewell in some locations)

Local public health agencies such as the Kent County Health Department and Grand Rapids Public Health also provide screening, education, and prevention programs focused on cardiovascular health.

Types of Cardiovascular Disease

Cardiovascular disease is a broad term that includes several conditions affecting the heart and blood vessels. Some are strongly related to lifestyle, while others are not.

These conditions are often linked to diet, physical activity, weight, smoking, and blood pressure:

  • Coronary heart disease (CHD)

    • Narrowing or blockage of the arteries that supply blood to the heart
    • Can cause angina (chest pain) or heart attack (acute myocardial infarction)

  • Stroke

    • Ischemic stroke – caused by a blockage in a blood vessel supplying the brain, usually from a blood clot
    • Hemorrhagic stroke – caused by a blood vessel in the brain rupturing and bleeding

  • Peripheral vascular disease (PVD)

    • Narrowing or blockage of large blood vessels that supply the arms and legs
    • Can cause leg pain with walking, poor wound healing, and in severe cases, tissue damage

These conditions are common in Michigan adults, especially when combined with risk factors such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, and tobacco use.

Some heart and blood vessel problems are not caused by lifestyle habits:

  • Acute rheumatic fever and rheumatic heart disease

    • Result from an untreated infection with group A streptococcus bacteria
    • Can damage heart valves over time

  • Congenital heart disease

    • Structural problems with the heart (such as valve defects or holes in the heart) that are present at birth
    • Often diagnosed in childhood but may require lifelong follow-up

Specialty care for these conditions is available at major Grand Rapids hospitals and pediatric cardiology centers.

Arteriosclerosis and Atherosclerosis: “Hardening of the Arteries”

The most common cause of heart disease and many strokes is the gradual narrowing and stiffening of arteries.

  • Arteriosclerosis

    • General term for “hardening of the arteries���
    • Arteries become thickened and less flexible, which restricts blood flow

  • Atherosclerosis

    • A specific type of arteriosclerosis
    • Involves a buildup of fatty substances, cholesterol, calcium, and cellular waste (called plaques) inside artery walls

Over time, these plaques can:

  • Partially block blood flow
  • Completely block an artery
  • Break open (rupture), causing a blood clot that suddenly blocks blood flow

This process can happen anywhere in the body, including:

  • Arteries to the heart – causing coronary heart disease, angina, or heart attack
  • Arteries to the brain – causing certain types of ischemic stroke
  • Arteries to the legs and arms – causing peripheral vascular disease

Cold Michigan winters may also temporarily constrict blood vessels and raise blood pressure, which can increase stress on already narrowed arteries—one reason winter months can be higher-risk for heart attacks and strokes in Grand Rapids.

How Atherosclerosis Leads to Stroke

Stroke occurs when part of the brain is suddenly deprived of blood and oxygen. Atherosclerosis plays a key role in many strokes:

Ischemic Stroke (Most Common Type)

Ischemic strokes occur when a blood vessel supplying the brain is blocked.

  • Thrombotic stroke

    • A blood clot forms in an artery already narrowed by plaque in the brain or neck
    • The clot blocks blood flow to a part of the brain

  • Embolic stroke

    • A blood clot forms elsewhere (often in the heart)
    • The clot travels through the bloodstream and lodges in a narrowed brain artery

Both thrombotic and embolic strokes are types of ischemic stroke, which is the most common type seen in Grand Rapids emergency departments.

Hemorrhagic Stroke

Hemorrhagic stroke occurs when a blood vessel in the brain:

  • Weakens
  • Ruptures
  • Bleeds into or around the brain tissue

This type of stroke is less common but often more severe. Long-term high blood pressure, which is common in Michigan adults, is a major risk factor for hemorrhagic stroke.

Heart Disease vs. Stroke: How They Differ

Although both can be caused by blocked or damaged blood vessels, heart disease and stroke are not the same:

  • Heart disease mainly affects the heart and coronary arteries
  • Stroke affects blood flow to the brain

However, they share many of the same risk factors, and preventing one often helps prevent the other.

Major Risk Factors for Heart Disease and Stroke

Key risk factors for coronary heart disease and stroke include:

  • High blood pressure (hypertension)
  • High cholesterol
  • Diabetes or prediabetes
  • Smoking or exposure to secondhand smoke
  • Obesity or overweight
  • Physical inactivity
  • Unhealthy diet (high in salt, sugar, and processed foods)
  • Chronic stress or depression
  • Family history of heart disease or stroke
  • Older age (risk increases as you get older)

In West Michigan, many adults have at least one of these risk factors. Regular checkups with a Grand Rapids primary care provider can help identify and manage them early.

How to Reduce Your Risk in Grand Rapids

You can significantly lower your risk of heart disease and stroke by making healthy lifestyle changes and using local healthcare resources.

1. Avoid Smoking and Tobacco

  • Do not smoke, vape, or use smokeless tobacco
  • Avoid secondhand smoke
  • Nicotine directly narrows blood vessels and damages their lining

Local help in Grand Rapids:

  • Talk with your primary care provider about quitting
  • Use Michigan’s quitline and local programs through the Kent County Health Department

2. Eat a Heart-Healthy Diet

Focus on:

  • Fruits and vegetables
  • Whole grains (oats, brown rice, whole wheat bread)
  • Lean proteins (fish, skinless poultry, beans, lentils)
  • Healthy fats (olive oil, nuts, seeds)

Limit:

  • Processed foods and fast food
  • High-sugar snacks and beverages
  • Foods high in saturated and trans fats
  • Excess salt (sodium), which can raise blood pressure

In Grand Rapids, look for fresh options at:

  • Local grocery stores and farmers’ markets
  • Community-supported agriculture (CSA) programs in Kent County

3. Stay Physically Active Year-Round

Regular movement helps control weight, blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar.

Aim for:

  • At least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity per week (such as brisk walking)
  • Plus 2 days per week of muscle-strengthening activities

In Grand Rapids, consider:

  • Walking or biking on local trails and parks in warmer months
  • Indoor walking tracks, gyms, or home exercise routines during cold winters
  • Community fitness classes or programs through local YMCAs and recreation centers

Always talk with your doctor before starting a new exercise routine, especially if you have existing heart, lung, or joint problems.

4. Maintain a Healthy Weight

Healthy eating and regular activity make it easier to:

  • Reach and maintain a healthy body weight
  • Reduce belly fat, which is linked to heart disease and diabetes
  • Lower blood pressure and cholesterol levels

Your Grand Rapids healthcare provider can help set realistic weight goals and refer you to nutrition counseling if needed.

5. Manage Stress and Mental Health

Long-term stress and depression can increase your risk of heart disease and stroke. Helpful strategies include:

  • Deep breathing exercises
  • Progressive muscle relaxation
  • Mindfulness or meditation
  • Counseling or therapy when needed

Local mental health resources are available through:

  • Grand Rapids counseling centers
  • Behavioral health services at Corewell Health, Trinity Health Grand Rapids, and other local systems

6. Control Blood Pressure, Cholesterol, and Diabetes

Regular checkups are essential:

  • Blood pressure checks – high blood pressure often has no symptoms
  • Cholesterol tests – to monitor LDL (“bad”) and HDL (“good”) cholesterol
  • Blood sugar tests – to screen for diabetes or prediabetes

If you are prescribed medications for blood pressure, cholesterol, or diabetes, take them as directed and follow up regularly with your provider.

When to See a Doctor in Grand Rapids

Talk with your doctor or a local clinic if you:

  • Have a family history of heart disease or stroke
  • Smoke or recently quit
  • Have high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or diabetes
  • Are overweight or physically inactive
  • Have chest pain, shortness of breath, or leg pain when walking

Primary care and cardiology services are available through:

  • Corewell Health (Spectrum Health) – Grand Rapids
  • Trinity Health Grand Rapids
  • University of Michigan Health-West (Metro Health)
  • Other local clinics and federally qualified health centers in Kent County

The Kent County Health Department and Grand Rapids Public Health can also provide information on screenings, community programs, and low-cost resources.

Emergency: Call 911 Immediately

If you or someone near you has signs of a heart attack or stroke, call 911 right away. Do not drive yourself to the hospital.

Signs of a Heart Attack

  • Chest pain, pressure, or discomfort (may feel like squeezing or fullness)
  • Pain in the arm, jaw, neck, back, or stomach
  • Shortness of breath
  • Cold sweat, nausea, or lightheadedness

Signs of a Stroke – Think FAST

Use the FAST test:

  • F – Face: Is one side of the face drooping?
  • A – Arms: Is one arm weak or numb?
  • S – Speech: Is speech slurred or strange?
  • T – Time: Call 911 right away if you see any of these signs

Grand Rapids hospitals have emergency departments equipped to treat heart attacks and strokes, including specialized stroke centers.

Key Points to Remember

  • Arteriosclerosis is commonly called “hardening of the arteries” and can lead to heart disease and stroke.
  • Atherosclerosis is a type of arteriosclerosis in which fatty plaques build up in artery walls.
  • Thrombotic and embolic strokes are both types of ischemic stroke, the most common form.
  • Hemorrhagic stroke happens when a blood vessel in the brain breaks and bleeds.
  • You can reduce your risk of heart disease and stroke by:
    • Not smoking
    • Eating a healthy, less-processed diet
    • Staying active year-round, even during Michigan’s cold winters
    • Maintaining a healthy weight
    • Managing stress, blood pressure, cholesterol, and diabetes
  • Regular visits with a Grand Rapids healthcare provider help detect problems early and guide you in making heart-healthy lifestyle choices.

If you live in the Grand Rapids, MI area, talk with your doctor or local clinic about your personal risk for heart disease and stroke and the best steps you can take to protect your heart and brain health.