Heart Disease

Cardiovascular disease refers to damage that has developed in the heart or blood vessels as a result of damage to the arteries, the blood vessels that transport oxygen and nutrients from your heart to the rest of your body.

Cardiovascular disease is caused by blocked, narrowed or stiffened blood vessels that prevent proper blood flow to the heart and brain, as well as other parts of the body. This often develops as a result of damage caused to the heart or blood vessels by atherosclerosis, a buildup of fatty plaques in the arteries. Atherosclerosis is the most common cause of cardiovascular disease, and is often caused as a result of an unhealthy diet, a lack of exercise, smoking and obesity.

Common symptoms of cardiovascular disease include:

• Chest pain
• Shortness of breath
• Pain

Being overweight or obese puts you at a greater risk for developing heart disease. Overweight individuals are more likely to have high blood pressure as well as high blood levels of cholesterol, both of which can lead to heart disease.

Other risk factors that are linked to heart disease include:

• Age
• Sex
• Family medical history
• Tobacco use
• Poor diet
• Diabetes
• Physical inactivity
• High stress
• Poor hygiene