Reviewed By: Dr. Christiane Schaeffler

Understanding Cardiovascular Diseases: What You Need to Know

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) represents a group of conditions that affect the heart and blood vessels. These conditions can lead to serious complications, such as heart attacks, strokes, and heart failure. Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death globally, accounting for an estimated 31% of all deaths worldwide. In this article, we will discuss the most common CVD, including their causes, symptoms, diagnosis, prevention and treatment.

Most Common Cardiovascular Diseases

There are several types of cardiovascular diseases, but the most common ones include coronary artery disease, hypertension, heart failure, and arrhythmias.

Coronary Artery Disease (CAD)

Coronary artery disease (CAD) is a condition in which the blood vessels that supply the heart with oxygen and nutrients become narrow or blocked. This can present in many different ways including chest pain or discomfort, shortness of breath, and heart attacks.

Definition and Causes

The most common cause of CAD is atherosclerosis, a condition in which plaque builds inside the arteries. Other risk factors for CAD include smoking, high blood pressure, high cholesterol levels, diabetes, obesity, and a family history of heart disease.

Symptoms and Diagnosis

The symptoms of CAD can vary from person to person, but some of the most common ones include chest pain or discomfort, shortness of breath, fatigue, and weakness. A diagnosis of CAD is typically made through a combination of medical history, physical examination, and diagnostic tests, such as an electrocardiogram (ECG), stress test, cardiac CT or cardiac catheterization.

Prevention and Treatment

To prevent CAD, it is essential to manage key risk factors, such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and diabetes. Lifestyle changes, and in some cases, medications are critical to achieve these goals. The treatment for CAD may include medications, such as aspirin, anti-hypertensives, or cholesterol-lowering drugs, as well as lifestyle changes, such as tobacco cessation, the adoption of a Mediterranean or whole food plant based diet, and regular exercise at least 150 minutes per week In some cases, procedures, such as angioplasty or coronary artery bypass surgery, may be necessary.

Hypertension

Hypertension, or high blood pressure, is a condition in which the force of blood against the walls of the arteries is consistently too high. This can lead to serious complications, such as heart attacks, strokes, and kidney disease.

Definition and Causes

The exact cause of hypertension is not always known, but several factors can increase the risk of developing the condition, including genetics, age, obesity, a sedentary lifestyle, hormonal abnormalities, sleep apnea and a diet high in sodium.

Symptoms and Diagnosis

Hypertension is often called the “silent killer” because it does not always cause symptoms. A diagnosis of hypertension is typically made through repeated blood pressure readings taken by a healthcare provider or consistently elevated readings at home with a validated monitor.

Prevention and Treatment

To prevent hypertension, it is essential to maintain a healthy weight, eat a balanced diet, exercise regularly, and limit alcohol consumption. The treatment for hypertension may include medications and lifestyle changes, such as reducing sodium intake, exercising regularly, and quitting smoking.

Heart Failure

Heart failure is a condition in which the heart cannot pump enough blood to meet the body’s needs or is unable to relax sufficiently. It is important to note that heart failure can be classified into different types: Heart Failure with Reduced Ejection Fraction (HFrEF), Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) or it can be classified by Stages A, B, C or D which correspond with symptoms While HFrEF refers to a condition where the pumping function of the heart is impaired, HFpEF occurs when the pumping function of the heart remains relatively normal, but there is a failure of relaxation. Stage A heart failure represents those at risk for heart failure but who do not yet have symptoms or structural or functional heart disease. Stage B heart failure includes those without current or previous symptoms but with either structural heart disease, increased filling pressures in the heart or other risk factors. Stage C heart failure includes those with current or previous symptoms of heart failure. Finally, Stage D heart failure includes those with symptoms that interfere with daily life functions or lead to repeated hospitalizations.

Definition and Causes

The most common causes of heart failure are coronary artery disease, hypertension, arrhythmias, heart valve abnormalities, infiltrative disease of the heart muscle, and congenital heart defects Some risk factors include obesity, sleep apnea, and a family history of heart disease.

Symptoms and Diagnosis

Symptoms of heart failure can include shortness of breath, fatigue, swelling in the legs and ankles, and a rapid or irregular heartbeat. The diagnosis is made through a combination of medical history, physical examination, and diagnostic tests, such as an echocardiogram or a cardiac MRI.

Prevention and Treatment

Prevention of heart failure involves managing risk factors, such as hypertension, diabetes, and coronary artery disease, by making lifestyle changes and taking medications as prescribed. Maintaining a healthy weight, eating a balanced diet, and avoiding smoking can also help reduce the risk of heart failure.

Treatment for heart failure may include medications, such as diuretics or angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors or angiotensin receptor blockers, angiotensin receptor/neprilysin inhibitor, sodium glucose co transporter 2 and mineralocortid receptor antagonists as well as lifestyle changes, and managing co-morbidities. In some cases, surgery, such as a left ventricular assist device (LVAD) or heart translant, may be necessary.

Arrhythmias

Arrhythmias are abnormal heart rhythms that can cause the heart to beat too quickly, too slowly, or irregularly. Some arrhythmias may not cause any symptoms, while others can lead to serious complications, such as stroke or sudden cardiac arrest.

Definition and Causes

The causes of arrhythmias can vary, but some common ones include coronary artery disease, hypertension, and heart failure. Other factors that can contribute to arrhythmias include drug or alcohol abuse, stress, excess caffeine, sleep distrubances, and electrolyte imbalances.

Symptoms and Diagnosis

Symptoms of arrhythmias can include palpitations, dizziness, fainting, and chest pain. Diagnosis is made through a combination of medical history, physical examination, and diagnostic tests, such as an electrocardiogram or a cardiac monitor.

Treatment and Prevention

Treatment for arrhythmias may include medications, such as beta-blockers, calcium channel blockers or antiarrhythmic drugs, as well as procedures, such as cardioversion or catheter ablation. Prevention of arrhythmias involves managing risk factors, such as hypertension and coronary artery disease, making lifestyle changes and taking medications as prescribed. Avoiding triggers, such as caffeine or alcohol, can also help reduce the risk of arrhythmias.

How to Reduce the Risk of Cardiovascular Diseases

While some risk factors for cardiovascular diseases, such as age and genetics, cannot be controlled, there are many lifestyle changes that can help reduce the risk of developing these conditions. Some of the most effective ways to reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases include:

Eating a Heart-Healthy Diet

A heart-healthy diet includes plenty of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats, while limiting processed foods, saturated fats, and added sugars. Eating a balanced diet can help lower cholesterol levels, reduce blood pressure, and maintain a healthy weight.

Maintaining a Healthy Weight

Being overweight or obese can increase the risk of developing cardiovascular diseases, as well as other health conditions, such as diabetes and sleep apnea. Maintaining a healthy weight through a balanced diet and regular exercise can help reduce the risk of developing these conditions.

Exercising Regularly

Regular exercise can help improve cardiovascular health by strengthening the heart and blood vessels, lowering blood pressure and cholesterol levels, and reducing stress. Aim for at least 30 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise, such as brisk walking or cycling, at least five days of the week. Alternatively, one can aim for just over 20 minutes daily.

Managing Stress

Chronic stress can increase the risk of developing cardiovascular diseases, as well as other health conditions, such as depression and anxiety. Finding healthy ways to manage stress, such as meditation or yoga, can help improve overall health and reduce the risk of these conditions.

Quitting Smoking

Smoking is a major risk factor for cardiovascular diseases, as well as many other health conditions, such as lung cancer and respiratory disease. Quitting smoking can help reduce the risk of developing these conditions and improve overall health.

Limiting Alcohol Consumption

Drinking too much alcohol can increase the risk of developing cardiovascular diseases, as well as liver disease and certain types of cancer. Limiting alcohol consumption to moderate levels, which is defined as up to one drink per day for women and up to two drinks per day for men, can help reduce the risk of these conditions.

Conclusion

Understanding the most common cardiovascular diseases and their risk factors is an important part of maintaining heart health. By making lifestyle changes, such as eating a heart-healthy diet, maintaining a healthy weight, exercising regularly, managing stress, quitting smoking, and limiting alcohol consumption, it is possible to reduce the risk of developing these conditions.

While age and genetics are risk factors that cannot be controlled, there are many risk factors that can be modified. Regular check-ups with a healthcare provider can help identify and manage these modifiable risk factors, as well as monitor for any signs or symptoms of cardiovascular diseases.

By taking an active role in maintaining heart health and working closely with a healthcare provider, it is possible to reduce the risk of developing cardiovascular diseases and live a long, healthy life.

About Dr. Christiane Schaeffler

Dr. Schaefer is non-invasive cardiologist who joined Pacific Heart in 2022. She was born and raised in Los Angeles and attended UC Berkeley where she graduated with degrees in Molecular Biology and English Literature. She then attended medical school, as well as internship and residency at USC, Keck School of Medicine. Following this training she completed a cardiology fellowship at New York Presbyterian Hospital, Weill Cornell. She also served as a chief fellow for the program in her final year. She then moved back to California for an additional fellowship year in echocardiography at UCSF. She served as an assistant professor and attending physician in cardiology at the Keck School of Medicine and LA County Hospital, teaching and working alongside fellows, residents, and medical students on consultative cardiology services, in the CCU and in the echocardiography lab.