What is cardiovascular disease?
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a class of diseases that involve the heart and blood vessels. It is a leading cause of death globally, responsible for over 17 million deaths per year. The most common types of CVD are:
- Coronary artery disease (CAD) - Also known as ischemic heart disease. This is when plaque builds up inside the coronary arteries, which supply blood to the heart muscle. Over time this can lead to chest pain (angina), heart attack, heart failure, and arrhythmias.
- Cerebrovascular disease - Disease of blood vessels supplying the brain, including stroke. A stroke occurs when blood flow to part of the brain is interrupted, causing brain cells to die. This can lead to permanent disability or death depending on the size and location of the stroke.
- Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) - Narrowing of arteries supplying the legs, arms, stomach or kidneys. This causes pain, numbness, and leg cramps with walking (intermittent claudication). PAD increases risk of heart attack and stroke.
- Rheumatic heart disease - Damage to heart valves caused by rheumatic fever, an illness triggered by untreated strep throat infection. This can lead to heart failure if not treated.
- Congenital heart defects - Problems with heart structure present at birth, such as holes in chambers or valves that don't form properly. Some are mild while others are life-threatening.
Risk factors for CVD include:
- High blood pressure
- High LDL cholesterol
- Smoking
- Diabetes
- Obesity
- Physical inactivity
- Unhealthy diet
- Excess alcohol
- Stress
- Older age
- Family history
Lifestyle changes and medications can help manage many of these risk factors. For example, quitting smoking, losing weight, reducing salt intake, and taking medications for high blood pressure or high cholesterol have all been shown to significantly lower CVD risk.
If you have concerns about your cardiovascular health, be sure to talk to your doctor about getting screened for CVD risk factors. They may recommend imaging tests like an ECG, stress test or coronary angiogram to check for blockages in the heart. Early detection of CVD can allow for lifestyle changes and treatment to prevent heart attacks and strokes down the road.
For those looking to improve cardiovascular health and lower CVD risk, the doctors at Renew Hormone Solutions provide personalized care plans that address underlying hormone imbalances linked to heart disease. With optimized hormone levels, you can take control of your heart health starting from the inside out. Schedule a consultation today to see how our integrative approach can reduce your risk of CVD.