Cardiovascular disease (CVD) refers to a group of conditions affecting the heart and blood vessels. It includes coronary artery disease, heart failure, stroke, and more.

Common risk factors include high blood pressure, high cholesterol, smoking, diabetes, obesity, family history, and an unhealthy diet.

You can reduce your risk by adopting a heart-healthy lifestyle, including a balanced diet, regular exercise, stress management, not smoking, limiting alcohol, and managing underlying health conditions.

Symptoms may include chest pain or discomfort, shortness of breath, nausea, lightheadedness, and pain radiating to the arm, jaw, or back.

A stroke occurs when blood flow to the brain is interrupted, leading to brain damage. A heart attack involves a blockage in the heart’s blood vessels.

Strokes can be ischemic (due to a blood clot) or hemorrhagic (caused by bleeding). Ischemic strokes are more common.

Diagnosis involves various tests such as electrocardiograms (ECG/EKG), echocardiography, stress tests, cardiac catheterization, and blood tests.

Treatment options include lifestyle changes, medications, angioplasty, stent placement, coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), valve repair/replacement, and heart transplant.

Cardiac catheterization involves threading a catheter into blood vessels to diagnose and treat heart conditions. It can include angioplasty and stent placement.

Open-heart surgery involves opening the chest to access the heart. It is used for procedures like CABG, valve surgery, and heart transplantation.

Cardiac rehabilitation is a program that helps patients recover from heart surgeries or heart attacks. It includes exercise, education, and emotional support.

 Diabetes increases the risk of heart disease. High blood sugar can damage blood vessels and the heart.

 Diabetes increases the risk of heart disease. High blood sugar can damage blood vessels and the heart.

Early signs include increased thirst, frequent urination, fatigue, and blurred vision.

Risk reduction involves maintaining a healthy weight, eating a balanced diet, exercising regularly, and having regular check-ups.

Arrhythmias are irregular heart rhythms. Treatment can include medications, ablation, and implantable devices like pacemakers.

A heart-healthy diet includes plenty of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean protein, and limited saturated fats and salt.

Regular exercise helps improve heart health by increasing fitness, reducing blood pressure, and maintaining a healthy weight.

Yes, chronic stress can contribute to heart disease. Stress management techniques are essential for heart health.

Quitting smoking reduces the risk of heart disease. Within a year of quitting, the risk drops significantly.

Lead by example. Promote healthy eating, physical activity, regular check-ups, and avoiding smoking as a family.

Angiography is a medical imaging technique that uses contrast dye and X-rays to visualize blood vessels. It helps diagnose blockages and narrowing in the coronary arteries.

Angioplasty is a procedure to open blocked or narrowed coronary arteries. It involves inflating a balloon-like device to widen the artery, often followed by stent placement to keep it open.

Electrophysiology procedures involve mapping and ablating abnormal heart rhythms (arrhythmias). They can correct irregular heartbeats using catheters and advanced technology.

CABG is a surgical procedure that creates new pathways for blood to flow to the heart. It’s often used to bypass blocked or narrowed coronary arteries.

ASD (Atrial Septal Defect) and VSD (Ventricular Septal Defect) closure procedures repair holes in the heart’s walls. They may be necessary when these defects cause symptoms or complications.

Structural heart procedures treat heart valve problems without open-heart surgery. They include transcatheter valve repair and replacement.