Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a broad term that refers to conditions affecting the heart and blood vessels. It's essentially plumbing problems in the body's complex network of pipes (arteries and veins) that carry oxygen and nutrient-rich blood throughout the body.
Some key types of CVD include:
The most common cause of CVD is atherosclerosis - accumulation of fatty deposits inside arteries over many years. This hardening and narrowing of vessels can limit blood circulation.
Major risk factors are smoking, obesity, high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol, poor diet, physical inactivity, and family history. But even with no risks, CVD can happen. Genetics can be funny like that!
Managing CVD aims to lower risks, control symptoms, and prevent progression. Lifestyle changes like improving diet, increasing activity, and quitting smoking can go a long way. If that fails, medications may be needed to control blood pressure, cholesterol, clotting, heart rate, etc. Procedures like stents or bypass surgery may also help in severe blockages.
The key is recognizing symptoms early and taking action. We cardiologists used to just wait for full-blown heart attacks and strokes before stepping in. But modern preventive cardiology focuses on halting disease progression much sooner. "An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure," as good ol' Ben Franklin used to say!
So don't ignore shortness of breath, chest pain, palpitations, or other CVD red flags. Book an appointment to get checked out, especially if you have risk factors. Identifying issues early on can pay huge dividends health-wise down the road! The fantastic cardiologists at Hormone Harmony offer advanced CVD testing and prevention plans tailored to your unique health status. holler at Dr. Smith for a free 15-minute phone consult to discuss your heart health goals for 2023!