Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a class of diseases that involve the heart or blood vessels. It is the 1 cause of death globally, claiming over 17 million lives each year. The most common types of CVD are coronary artery disease, stroke, hypertensive heart disease, rheumatic heart disease, cardiomyopathy, atrial fibrillation, peripheral artery disease, and congenital heart disease.
So what causes cardiovascular disease? There are several risk factors that can increase your chances of developing CVD:
- High blood pressure - Having persistently elevated blood pressure puts extra strain on your heart and arteries. This can cause damage over time.
- Smoking - Smokers have double the risk of heart attack compared to non-smokers. Chemicals in tobacco smoke contribute to atheroma buildup.
- Diabetes - Having chronically high blood sugar levels can injure blood vessels and nerves that control the heart.
- Obesity - Excess body fat, especially around the waist, increases inflammation that can lead to plaque buildup.
- Physical inactivity - Lack of exercise makes the heart work harder and contributes to other risk factors like obesity.
- Unhealthy diet - Eating too much salt, sugar, and unhealthy fats while lacking nutrients can negatively impact cardiovascular health.
Some risk factors are beyond your control, like family history, age, and sex. But the good news is that
simple lifestyle changes can go a long way in reducing your risk of CVD. Here are some tips:
- Exercise regularly - Aim for 150 minutes of moderate activity per week. This strengthens your heart muscle and helps control weight.
- Eat a balanced diet - Focus on whole grains, lean proteins, fruits, vegetables, and healthy fats like olive oil. Limit salt, sugar, and red meat.
- Quit smoking - Your risk starts dropping immediately after quitting. Find a program to help you kick the habit for good.
- Limit alcohol - Heavy drinking strains the cardiovascular system. Men should have no more than 2 drinks per day, women 1 drink per day.
- Manage stress - Chronic stress stimulates inflammatory pathways. Try yoga, mindfulness, or talking to a therapist.
If you already have CVD, it is critical to work with your doctor on a treatment plan. This may include medications to control blood pressure, cholesterol, or blood clots. Procedures like stents and bypass surgery may be warranted in severe cases.
With proper adherence to modern therapies, many people can manage CVD and live full lives.
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In summary, cardiovascular disease develops through complex interactions between genetics, lifestyle factors, and age-related changes. By knowing your risks and making smart choices each day, you can dramatically lower your chances of becoming a statistic. Small steps really do make a big difference for your heart.