What is cardiovascular disease

 

What exactly are heart Cardiovascular?

The term "cardiovascular diseases" (CVDs) refers to a variety of heart and blood vessel conditions. They consist of:

• coronary heart disease – a disease of the blood vessels supplying the heart muscle;
• cerebrovascular disease – a disease of the blood vessels supplying the brain;
• peripheral arterial disease – a disease of blood vessels supplying the arms and legs;
• rheumatic heart disease – damage to the heart muscle and heart valves from rheumatic fever, caused by streptococcal bacteria;
• congenital heart disease – birth defects that affect the normal development and functioning of the heart caused by malformations of the heart structure from birth; and
• deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism – blood clots in the leg veins, which can dislodge and move to the heart and lungs.

Heart attacks and strokes are typically sudden, severe events that are mostly brought on by a blockage that stops the flow of blood to the heart or brain. Fatty deposits that have accumulated on the inner walls of the blood arteries that supply the heart or brain are the most frequent cause of this. Blood clots or hemorrhage from a brain blood artery can both result in strokes.

What are the cardiovascular disease risk factors?

Unhealthy eating, inactivity, usage of tobacco products, and abusing alcohol are the main behavioral risk factors for heart disease and stroke. Individuals may experience elevated blood pressure, elevated blood glucose, elevated blood lipids, as well as overweight and obesity as a result of behavioral risk factors. These "intermediate risks factors" can be assessed in primary care settings and point to an elevated risk of consequences such heart attack, stroke, and heart failure.

It has been demonstrated that reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease involves quitting smoking, cutting back on salt in the diet, eating more fruits and vegetables, engaging in regular physical activity, and abstaining from problematic alcohol consumption. For people to adopt and maintain healthy behaviors, health policies that foster environments where healthy options are both affordable and accessible are crucial.

There are other additional underlying factors that contribute to CVDs. These are a reflection of the three main causes — urbanization, population aging, and globalization — that are causing social, economic, and cultural transformation. Poverty, stress, and inherited factors are other CVD risk factors.