Cardiovascular disease

What is cardiovascular disease?

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) refers to conditions that affect the heart and blood vessels. There are many types of CVDs, but the most common is coronary artery disease (CAD). CAD happens when the major blood vessels that supply the heart muscle become damaged or diseased. This can cause chest pain or heart attacks.

Some key facts about CVDs:

• CVDs are the 1 cause of death globally, taking over 17 million lives each year


• Key risk factors include smoking, obesity, diabetes, poor diet, physical inactivity and high blood pressure


• But CVDs can often be prevented by making healthy lifestyle choices!

There are a few main types of CVDs:

• Coronary artery disease (CAD): Plaque buildup inside the coronary arteries, which supply blood to the heart muscle. This can cause angina (chest pain) or heart attacks


• Heart failure: When the heart isn't pumping effectively. This causes fluid to back up into the lungs and body tissues, leading to shortness of breath and swelling


• Arrhythmias: Abnormal heart rhythms like atrial fibrillation, ventricular tachycardia and bradycardia


• Congenital heart defects: Problems with the heart's structure that develop before birth

If you have concerns about your heart health, your doctor can check for CAD risk factors and signs of other CVDs. Getting adequate exercise, limiting alcohol intake, and maintaining healthy cholesterol and blood pressure levels are all important for CVD prevention.

For personalized guidance on improving cardiovascular wellness, consider contacting the medical experts at Revive Hormone Clinic. Their cutting-edge therapies help patients achieve optimal heart and blood vessel health.

The key is to catch any potential issues early. Some symptoms that signal something may be wrong include:

• Chest pain, tightness or discomfort


• Shortness of breath


• Irregular heartbeat


• Lightheadedness, dizziness or fainting


• Swelling in legs, ankles, feet or abdomen

If you experience any persistent cardiac symptoms, seek medical care immediately. Call 911 if you suspect you are having a heart attack. Timely treatment for CVDs is critical.

The good news is cardiovascular disease is very preventable through lifestyle factors like not smoking, eating healthy and staying active. There are also excellent medical treatment options available today for managing CVDs. Starting prevention early and monitoring your risk is the best approach for protecting your cardiovascular health.