Cardiovascular disease

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) refers to conditions that affect the heart and blood vessels. It is an umbrella term that encompasses diseases like coronary artery disease, heart failure, arrhythmias, congenital heart defects, and more.
Some key facts about cardiovascular disease:

• CVDs are the 1 cause of death globally. An estimated 17.9 million people died from CVDs in 2016, representing 31% of deaths worldwide.


• There are many risk factors for CVDs, including high blood pressure, high LDL cholesterol, smoking, diabetes, obesity, poor diet, physical inactivity, and excessive alcohol use.


• Many CVDs can be prevented by addressing risk factors like diet, exercise, smoking, and managing conditions like diabetes and high blood pressure.

What happens in cardiovascular disease?

CVDs affect the circulatory system - the heart and blood vessels. Some common issues include:

• Atherosclerosis - Plaque buildup in the arteries, causing them to harden and narrow. This can lead to heart attack or stroke.


• Heart failure - When the heart cannot pump enough blood and oxygen to meet the body's needs.


• Arrhythmias - Abnormal heart rhythms like atrial fibrillation or ventricular tachycardia.

The underlying mechanisms vary but often involve inflammation, oxidative stress, and other forms of damage to blood vessels and heart tissue.

Preventing cardiovascular disease

Many CVDs can be prevented by living a healthy lifestyle:

• Eat a diet high in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean protein. Avoid saturated/trans fats.


• Exercise regularly - ideally 30-60 min daily.


• Maintain healthy body weight.


• Don't smoke and avoid secondhand smoke.


• Limit alcohol intake to 1 drink daily for women, 2 for men.


• Manage conditions like high BP, cholesterol, and diabetes.

Early detection is also key, so discuss your risk factors with your doctor. They may recommend medical therapy or supplements to promote cardiovascular health.