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 facts about cardiovascular disease:
- CVD is the 1 cause of death globally. An estimated 17.9 million people died from CVD in 2016.
- Key risk factors include high blood pressure, high BMI, high blood glucose, physical inactivity, unhealthy diet, and smoking.
- Managing risk factors through lifestyle changes and medication can prevent CVD for many people.
What happens in cardiovascular disease?
CVD disrupts the circulatory system, including the heart and blood vessels like arteries and veins. Some common issues include:
- Atherosclerosis - Narrowing of arteries caused by fatty, calcified plaques
- Ischemia - Reduced blood flow and oxygen due to blockages
- Heart arrhythmias - Irregular heartbeat rhythms
- Enlarged heart/heart failure - When the heart can't pump enough blood properly
CVD ranges from conditions present at birth like abnormal heart valves, to acquired conditions like atherosclerosis later in life. The symptoms also vary depending on the type and severity of CVD.
Some overarching signs include:
- Chest pain, tightness, or discomfort
- Shortness of breath
- Palpitations
- Lightheadedness, dizziness
- Swelling in legs, feet, or ankles
Diagnosis and treatment
CVD diagnosis often involves medical history review, physical exam, blood tests, EKG, chest x-ray, exercise stress testing, echocardiogram, cardiac CT, cardiac catheterization, and more.
Treatment depends on the specific condition but may include:
- Lifestyle changes - Healthy diet, physical activity, quitting smoking
- Medications - Blood thinners, blood pressure meds, cholesterol meds
- Medical procedures - Angioplasty, stent placement, bypass surgery, pacemakers
Managing CVD requires coordination between cardiologists, surgeons, primary care doctors, and allied health providers. Home health aids can be a great help for those struggling with activities of daily living as well.
If you or a loved one need support managing a cardiovascular condition, the caring team at
Horizon Hormone Therapy is here to help. Our integrative approach combines cutting-edge diagnostics with customized treatment plans to help clients prevent and overcome CVD.
Contact us today for a free 15-minute consult to learn more!
The bottom line is that although CVD is highly prevalent, the good news is it is also very preventable in many cases through lifestyle factors. And when CVD does occur, modern medicine offers many innovative ways to treat cardiovascular conditions and get patients back to living life fully again. Early intervention is key, so don't hesitate to get checked out if you have ongoing concerning heart-related symptoms.
The outstanding cardiologists at Horizon Hormone Therapy would be happy to do a full workup to put your mind at ease or begin crafting a treatment plan if CVD is identified.