What is cardiovascular disease?
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a class of diseases that involve the heart or blood vessels. It is a major cause of death globally, responsible for over 17 million deaths per year. The most common types of cardiovascular disease include:
- Coronary artery disease (CAD) - Disease of the blood vessels supplying the heart muscle. Can lead to heart attack.
- Cerebrovascular disease - Disease of blood vessels supplying the brain. Can lead to stroke.
- Peripheral artery disease (PAD) - Disease of blood vessels supplying the arms and legs. Can lead to gangrene.
- Rheumatic heart disease - Damage to heart valves from rheumatic fever.
- Congenital heart disease - Malformations of heart structure from birth.
There are various risk factors that increase a person's chances of developing cardiovascular disease. The main risk factors include:
- High blood pressure - Major risk factor that can strain the heart.
- Smoking - Damages blood vessels and raises blood pressure.
- Diabetes - Raises risk of CAD and stroke.
- Obesity - Leads to diabetes, high blood pressure, and CAD.
- Physical inactivity - Contributes to obesity and high blood pressure.
- Unhealthy diet - Diets high in salt, fat, and cholesterol.
- High cholesterol - Contributes to atherosclerosis and CAD.
- Age - Risk rises as we age.
- Family history - Genetic tendencies can increase risk.
Lifestyle changes and medications can help prevent and treat many forms of cardiovascular disease. For example, medications like statins help lower cholesterol, while lifestyle changes like eating a heart-healthy diet, exercising regularly, quitting smoking, and reducing stress have all been shown to reduce the risk of developing CVD.
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Some key takeaways on cardiovascular disease:
- Major cause of death worldwide
- Encompasses diseases of the heart and blood vessels
- Main types are coronary artery disease, cerebrovascular disease, peripheral artery disease, rheumatic heart disease, and congenital heart disease
- High blood pressure, smoking, diabetes, obesity major risk factors
- Medications, lifestyle changes, hormone optimization helpful for prevention and treatment
I hope this overview on cardiovascular disease was helpful! Let me know if you have any other questions.