Cardiovascular disease

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(Redirected from Heart Disease)

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Cardiovascular disease
Synonyms N/A
Pronounce N/A
Specialty N/A
Symptoms Chest pain, shortness of breath, fatigue, palpitations
Complications Heart failure, stroke, myocardial infarction, sudden cardiac death
Onset Varies by condition
Duration Long-term
Types N/A
Causes Atherosclerosis, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, smoking, obesity
Risks Age, family history, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, sedentary lifestyle
Diagnosis Electrocardiogram, echocardiogram, stress test, coronary angiography
Differential diagnosis N/A
Prevention N/A
Treatment Lifestyle changes, medications, surgery, angioplasty
Medication Statins, beta blockers, ACE inhibitors, antiplatelet drugs
Prognosis N/A
Frequency Common
Deaths Leading cause of death worldwide


Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a class of diseases that involve the heart or blood vessels. CVD includes coronary artery disease (CAD), such as angina and myocardial infarction (commonly known as a heart attack). Other CVDs include stroke, heart failure, hypertensive heart disease, rheumatic heart disease, cardiomyopathy, heart arrhythmia, congenital heart disease, valvular heart disease, carditis, aortic aneurysms, peripheral artery disease, thromboembolic disease, and venous thrombosis.

Types[edit]

The most common type of cardiovascular disease, coronary artery disease, is caused by atherosclerosis — a build-up of fatty material and plaque in the walls of the arteries. This build-up narrows the arteries, making it harder for blood to flow through. If a blood clot forms, it can stop the blood flow, leading to a heart attack or stroke.

Risk Factors[edit]

There are many risk factors associated with cardiovascular disease. Some of these include high blood pressure, smoking, diabetes, lack of exercise, obesity, high blood cholesterol, poor diet, and excessive alcohol consumption. Age, sex, and family history are also important risk factors.

Prevention[edit]

Prevention of cardiovascular disease involves improving risk factors through: healthy eating, exercise, avoidance of tobacco smoke and limiting alcohol intake. Medications and therapy can also be used to manage cardiovascular disease, but they are typically not as effective as lifestyle changes.

Treatment[edit]

Treatment for cardiovascular disease typically involves lifestyle changes such as diet and exercise, as well as medications to control risk factors such as high blood pressure and diabetes. In some cases, procedures such as coronary angioplasty or coronary artery bypass surgery may be necessary.

Gallery[edit]

  • World map of inflammatory heart diseases by DALY, WHO 2004
    World map of inflammatory heart diseases by DALY, WHO 2004
  • Calcified heart
    Calcified heart
  • Cardiovascular calcification by Sergio Bertazzo
    Cardiovascular calcification by Sergio Bertazzo
  • Cardiovascular disease
    Cardiovascular disease
  • World map of cardiovascular diseases deaths per million persons, WHO 2012
    World map of cardiovascular diseases deaths per million persons, WHO 2012
  • World map of cardiovascular diseases by DALY, WHO 2004
    World map of cardiovascular diseases by DALY, WHO 2004

See Also[edit]

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Cardiovascular disease A-Z

Most common cardiac diseases

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