Cardiovascular disease

What is cardiovascular disease?

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) refers to conditions that affect the heart and blood vessels. It is an umbrella term that encompasses diseases such as coronary artery disease, heart attack, heart failure, and stroke.

CVD is the leading cause of death globally. In the US alone, 1 in 4 deaths is attributed to heart disease. Understanding what CVD is and how to prevent it can help promote longevity.

Main Types

The most common types of cardiovascular disease include:

• Coronary artery disease (CAD) - Disease of the blood vessels that supply the heart muscle. Can cause angina and heart attacks.
• Cerebrovascular disease - Disease of blood vessels supplying the brain. A common cause of stroke.
• Peripheral artery disease (PAD) - Narrowing of blood vessels outside the heart, usually legs. Causes poor circulation.

Root Causes

CVD often starts with atherosclerosis - the buildup of plaque inside the arteries. This can be caused by:

• High blood pressure
• High LDL cholesterol
• Smoking
• Diabetes
• Obesity
• Physical inactivity
• Unhealthy diet

Over time, plaque hardens and narrows the arteries, limiting blood flow. If a plaque ruptures, it can cause a heart attack or stroke.

Prevention is Key

Lifestyle changes and medications (if needed) to treat risk factors can prevent 80% of premature CVD deaths. "An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure."

Key prevention tips:

• Eat a hearty, healthy diet
• Exercise 30 minutes per day
• Avoid smoking
• Control blood pressure and cholesterol
• Manage stress
• Get regular checkups

At Vitality Renewal Clinic, our integrative approach combines lifestyle changes, customized nutrition plans, and bioidentical hormone therapy to promote heart health. Contact us today for a free consultation with our cardiac wellness experts!

I hope this overview on what cardiovascular disease entails and how to prevent it was helpful. Let me know if you have any other questions!