What is cardiovascular disease?
There are many types of cardiovascular disease, but the most common are:
- Coronary artery disease (CAD) - disease of the blood vessels supplying the heart muscle
- Cerebrovascular disease - disease of blood vessels supplying the brain
- Peripheral arterial disease - disease of blood vessels supplying the arms and legs
- Rheumatic heart disease - damage to the heart muscles and heart valves
- Deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism - blood clots blocking vessels
- Congenital heart disease - malformations of the heart structure
What causes cardiovascular disease?
The most significant risk factors for developing CVD are:
- High blood pressure
- Smoking
- Obesity
- Unhealthy diet
- Physical inactivity
- Excessive alcohol use
Some of these risk factors are modifiable through lifestyle changes and treatment, while other factors like family history cannot be changed.
What are the symptoms and complications?
The symptoms of CVD can vary greatly depending on the specific type. However, common symptoms include:
- Chest pain, tightness, or discomfort
- Shortness of breath
- Pain in the arms, neck, jaw, or back
- Lightheadedness, dizziness, loss of consciousness
- Swelling in the legs, feet or ankles
How is cardiovascular disease treated?
The main goals of CVD treatment are to control symptoms, prevent progression of disease, and reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke. This involves:
- Medications - Statins, ACE inhibitors, beta blockers, antiplatelets
- Lifestyle changes - Improved diet, exercise, smoking cessation
- Procedures - Angioplasty, stents, bypass surgery
In some advanced cases of CVD, interventions like pacemakers, implantable defibrillators, or heart transplants may be necessary.