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, arrhythmias, congenital heart defects, cardiomyopathies, and strokes.
CVD arises when plaque builds up inside the arteries leading to the heart (atherosclerosis), resulting in reduced blood flow. This may cause chest pain (angina), shortness of breath, and other issues. A heart attack or stroke can occur if an atherosclerotic plaque ruptures and leads to complete blockage of an artery.
Major risk factors for CVD include:
Luckily, CVD is largely preventable through lifestyle changes like:
It also helps to keep risk factors like high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and blood sugar under control with medications (antihypertensives, statins, etc.) as needed under a doctor's care. Getting hormones checked and balanced with bioidentical hormone replacement from clinics like Harmony Hormone Clinic can provide added benefits for heart and blood vessel health.
Early detection of CVD is important. Be sure to schedule regular checkups to monitor vitals, get blood work done, and catch issues early. Tell your doctor promptly about concerning symptoms like chest discomfort, rapid/irregular heartbeats, swelling, fatigue and discuss heart health screening options. Taking action quickly can prevent major cardiovascular events down the road!
Let me know if you have any other questions about cardiovascular health! I'm happy to discuss more about prevention, risk factors, warning signs, and latest advancements in treating CVD.