What is cardiovascular disease?
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) refers to conditions that affect the heart and blood vessels. It is an umbrella term that encompasses various disorders such as coronary artery disease, heart failure, arrhythmias, congenital heart defects, and more. CVD is the leading cause of death globally, responsible for over 17 million deaths per year.
Some key facts about cardiovascular disease:
- Atherosclerosis - the buildup of plaque in arteries - is an underlying cause of many CVDs like heart attack and stroke. High blood pressure, smoking, obesity can accelerate this process.
- Heart attacks and strokes result when blood flow to the heart or brain is severely reduced or blocked. Timely treatment is critical to prevent death and disability.
- Lifestyle changes and medications can help prevent or manage many CVDs by controlling risk factors like high BP, cholesterol, diabetes.
Some warning signs to watch out for:
- Chest pain, shortness of breath
- Irregular heartbeat
- Swelling in legs, abdomen
- Sudden weakness or numbness
If you experience any concerning symptoms, seek medical care immediately for rapid diagnosis and treatment.
Risk Factors and Prevention
You can reduce your CVD risk by knowing and managing key risk factors:
- Smoking - Quitting smoking is a must. It immediately lowers risk.
- High BP - Have regular checkups. Medications can help control elevated levels.
- High cholesterol - Limit red meats, fried food. Medications like statins may be needed.
- Diabetes - Maintain healthy blood sugar levels with diet, exercise, medication.
- Obesity - Lose excess weight through calorie controlled diet and 30 mins of daily exercise.
- Family history - Can't change genetics but can offset with healthy lifestyles.
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Diagnosis and Treatment
- Diagnostic tests like EKG, heart stress test, CT scan help diagnose specific conditions.
- Medications treat high BP, cholesterol, clotting - aim is prevention.
- In serious cases, procedures like angioplasty, stenting, bypass surgery are needed to restore blood flow.
- Pacemakers and implantable defibrillators manage abnormal heart rhythms.
- For end stage heart failure, heart transplant may be an option.
In summary, cardiovascular disease refers to disorders affecting the heart and vessels - the 1 cause of death worldwide. Know your risks. Focus on prevention through healthy lifestyles and managing medical conditions. But if symptoms occur, seek prompt care - rapid diagnosis and treatment is key. For advanced hormone therapies to optimize your heart health, contact Hormone Health Institute.