Cardiovascular Disease (CVD)
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) refers to conditions that affect the heart and blood vessels. It is a leading cause of death globally. The most common types of cardiovascular disease are:
- Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) - narrowing of the arteries that supply blood and oxygen to 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) - narrowing of arteries that supply blood to arms and legs. Can cause leg pain with walking.
- Rheumatic Heart Disease - damage to heart valves from rheumatic fever infection.
- Congenital Heart Disease - malformations of heart structure from birth.
Some risk factors for CVD that can be modified include:
- High blood pressure
- High LDL cholesterol
- Diabetes
- Smoking
- Obesity
- Physical inactivity
- Unhealthy diet
Ways to help prevent cardiovascular disease include:
- Eating a healthy diet high in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean protein
- Exercising regularly - aim for 150 minutes per week
- Achieving and maintaining a healthy body weight
- Managing conditions like high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and diabetes
- Avoiding tobacco products
- Limiting alcohol intake
Early detection is key. Be sure to have regular checkups with your doctor to monitor blood pressure, cholesterol, blood sugar, weight, etc. Taking medications as prescribed and making lifestyle changes can reduce your risk for CVD events like heart attack and stroke.
Let me know if you have any other questions! Heart health is so important. With increased awareness and preventative care, we can lower rates of morbidity and mortality from cardiovascular disease.