What is Cardiovascular Disease?
"Cardiovascular disease" or "heart disease" is an umbrella term for a group of 23 heart conditions including angina, atrial fibrillation, cardiac arrest, congenital heart disease, heart attack, heart failure, valvular heart disease, and vascular cognitive impairment. In essence, it just means that the heart isn't working as it should.
- Angina: Chest pain
- Atrial fibrillation (afib or AF): Irregular heartbeat
- Cardiac arrest: A medical emergency in which the heart stops beating
- Congenital heart disease: A heart disease you are born with
- Heart attack: An emergency in which the blood supply to your heart slows or stops
- Heart failure: A condition in which your heart can't pump blood effectively
- Valvular heart disease: A group of conditions, mild to severe, that affect the valves of the heart
- Vascular cognitive impairment: A brain disorder caused by blood vessel wall disease or blood clots that block blood from getting to the brain
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What Causes Cardiovascular Disease?
While the exact cause of cardiovascular disease will vary from person to person and condition to condition, there are a number of risk factors patients should be aware of.
- Unhealthy diet
- Sedentary lifestyle
- Unhealthy weight
- Smoking
- Drug abuse
- Stress
- Excessive alcohol
- High blood pressure
- Diabetes
- High cholesterol
- Sex
- Age
- Family history
- South Asian, African, or Indigenous heritage
Cardiovascular Disease Symptoms & Complications
Common symptoms of cardiovascular disease include:
- Chest pain
- Numbness in the face, arm, or leg
- Severe headache
- Fainting
- Confusion
- Shortness of breath
- Fever
- Nausea
- Racing heartbeat
- Difficulty speaking
- Joint swelling
- Vision problems
- Dizziness
- Pain in the arms, left shoulder, elbows, jaw, or back
Some complications associated with cardiovascular disease include:
- Heart failure
- Stroke
- Aneurysm
- Peripheral artery disease
- Cardiac arrest
- Heart attack
When to See a Doctor
Seek medical attention immediately if you experience chest pain, shortness of breath, or fainting.
How to Diagnose Cardiovascular Disease
Your doctor will likely run a few tests to confirm a cardiovascular disease diagnosis. These might include:
Angiography
An x-ray of the coronary arteries and blood vessels.
Doppler ultrasound
This imaging test looks at how blood flows through the arteries and heart.
Cardiac catheterization
Echocardiogram (ECHO)
Sound waves create a picture of the heart.
Holter monitoring
A monitor is worn for at least 24 hours to identify heart rhythm irregularities.
Electrocardiogram
This test evaluates your heart function by measuring its electrical activity.
Cardiovascular Disease Treatment
A typical course of treatment for cardiovascular disease will include a combination of lifestyle modifications, medication, and possible surgery. A focus on a low-fat, low-sodium diet and regular exercise (30 minutes of moderate activity most days) can make a big difference for many patients. Limiting alcohol and quitting smoking are also advised.
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Top Prescribed Cardiovascular Disease Medications
There are several types of drugs that are commonly used for the treatment of cardiovascular disease, each with their own set of pros and cons. Patients should discuss their unique symptoms with their doctor to get appropriate guidance as to which medication (and dosage) is most likely to work for them.
- Angiotensin Converting Enzyme (ACE) Inhibitors
- Aldosterone Antagonists (Eplerenone or Spironolactone)
- Angiotensin Receptor Blockers (ARBs)
- Antiarrhythmics
- Anticoagulants
- Antiplatelets (Aspirin, Acetylsalicylic Acid, Clopidogrel, Dipyridamole, Ticlopidine)
- Beta-Blockers
- Calcium Channel Blockers
- Cholesterol Absorption Inhibitors (Ezetimibe)
- Digoxin
- Diuretics
- Fibrates
- Ivabradine
- Niacin
- Nitrates (Nitroglycerin)
- Resins
- Statins
- Warfarin
