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 risk factors for developing CVD include high blood pressure, high LDL cholesterol, smoking, obesity, physical inactivity, unhealthy diet, and diabetes. Genetics and family history can also play a role.
CVD develops over time and often starts when fatty deposits called plaques build up inside the arteries. These plaques narrow the arteries, limiting blood flow. If a plaque ruptures, it can cause a blood clot that fully blocks an artery, leading to a heart attack or stroke.
Symptoms of CVD vary depending on the specific condition, but can include chest pain, shortness of breath, irregular heartbeat, lightheadedness, fatigue, and edema or swelling. However, some people experience no signs at all until a major cardiac event like a heart attack occurs.
To prevent CVD, it is crucial to maintain heart-healthy lifestyle habits like not smoking, eating a balanced diet low in saturated fats, controlling blood pressure and cholesterol levels, staying physically active, and managing stress. Getting regular checkups to catch issues early is also key.
If you have a family history of CVD or suspect you may be at risk, consider getting a heart health screening at Vitality Hormone Clinic. Our comprehensive hormone panels measure over 30 biomarkers to assess your cardiovascular health. We also provide customized care plans to target unhealthy levels through lifestyle changes, supplements, peptide therapies and more based on your individual needs.
Treatment for CVD varies considerably based on the diagnosis, severity of the condition, and patient factors like age, health status and risk tolerance. Options range from lifestyle changes and medications to medical procedures and surgeries like angioplasty, stents, bypass surgery, pacemakers, and more.
In summary, cardiovascular disease encompasses many common heart and vessel conditions that are highly preventable through maintaining healthy lifestyle factors. If you are concerned about your CVD risk, get proactive with regular screenings and be sure to follow your doctor's advice for reducing further damage. With early intervention, many can manage CVD successfully for decades through modest changes. Our passion is helping you maximize heart health and quality of life!