Cardiovascular disease (CVD) refers to a class of diseases that involve the heart and blood vessels. The most common forms of CVD include coronary artery disease, hypertension, heart failure, and stroke. Risk factors for CVD include smoking, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, obesity, and diabetes. Many cases of CVD are preventable through lifestyle changes such as regular exercise, a healthy diet, and not smoking. Treatment for CVD may include medications, surgery, and lifestyle changes.

Generally, cardiovascular disease (CVD), heart disease and coronary disease, sound similar hence people use them interchangeably. Cardiovascular diseases include all diseases that affect the heart and blood vessels along.   

In the current scenario, cardiovascular diseases are now the most common cause of death worldwide. One in every five deaths is due to heart disease, which accounts for nearly one-third of all deaths.   Let us know more about your heart it’s symptoms, causes and treatment.

Common cardiovascular disorders

• Myocardial infarction (Heart Attack )
• Stroke 
• Heart Failure 
• Arrhythmia 
• Heart Valve Complications 

Risk factors for cardiovascular disease? 

There are several risk factors that contribute to Cardiovascular diseases, including the major ones listed below:: 

1. High Blood Pressure (Hypertension) –

2. High Blood Cholesterol–

Mainly caused by eating unhealthy fatty food, smoking and drinking, being overweight with no exercise.With high cholesterol, there is a chance to develop fatty deposits in blood vessels. Eventually, these fatty deposits grow and create difficulties for enough blood supply to flow through arteries. Sometimes, those fatty deposits break suddenly and form a clot that causes a heart attack or stroke. One of the major risk factors for heart disease is high blood cholesterol.

3. Obesity and Overweight–

It contributes to develop other risk factors like type 2 diabetes, dyslipidaemia, hypertension and sleep disorders, resulting in an increased risk of developing cardiovascular disease like heart failure and coronary heart diseases.

4. Smoking & Alcohol- 

One of the major causes for cardiovascular disease having one of every four deaths across the globe. The chemicals inhaled while smoking or drink alcohol can permanently damage blood vessels and heart.

5. Physical Inactivity- 

Sedentary lifestyle can be fatal and causing many health diseases like obesity, cardiovascular disease, depression and anxiety. Being inactive can accumulate fatty material in blood vessels (which carries blood to organs) and make it damaged and clogged, it can lead to heart attack.

6. Diabetes-

People with diabetes having high chances of heart disease. Diabetes or high blood sugar damages blood vessels and nerves that control the heart.

7. Heredity- 

Heart failure can run in families indicating a strong inherited genetic risk, as cardiac disorders can be passed from generation to generation, when a family member is diagnosed with heart disease, rest family members are advised to undergo screening for possible cardiac risks. 

8. Gender-

There is a misperception that women are protected from cardiovascular disease, whereas women are at high risk for stroke. Generally, Men have higher propensity of developing coronary heart disease than women. 

Can cardiovascular disease be treated? 

An effective change in lifestyle, food habits, medicine and in some case, surgery can be beneficial in coronary heart disease (CHD) treatment.  

What are the first signs of a weak heart? 

How is cardiovascular disease prevented?

To advocate, precaution is better than cure, few tips of lifestyle change can help, treat and prevent heart disorders- 

• Eating a healthy diet is choosing healthy habits to build and maintain heart health.

• Leafy, green vegetables and whole grains are nutrient-rich which helps protect arteries and improves the function of blood vessels.
• Add berries, avocados, fatty fish, fish oil, walnuts, beans, seeds, garlic, olive oil and green tea to the diet. 

• Keep your body active with exercise regularly, maintain health and keep weight controlled.
• Limited alcohol intake & smoke will also be helpful in preventing cardiovascular disease at large. 

Also Know How Heart Health And Mental Health Is Interrelated here

Reference: https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/cardiovascular-diseases-(cvds)