What is cardiovascular disease?

Heart Disease is a term that is often used interchangeably with “cardiovascular disease”. Whatever you call it, almost 7-hundred thousand Americans die from it each year. Cardiovascular disease refers to a range of diseases that affect your heart or blood vessels. Some of the diseases that fall under cardiovascular disease include, but are not limited to: coronary artery disease, heart attack, cardiomyopathy, congenital heart disease, aneurysm, high blood pressure, stroke, peripheral arterial disease, and arrhythmias Coronary heart disease is the most common type of heart disease and that occurs when the coronary arteries become hardened and narrow due to plaque buildup. Coronary heart disease can lead to a heart attack and angina. Angina is the chest pain or discomfort a person feels when their heart isn't getting enough blood. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend that people reduce their risk for heart disease by: preventing and controlling high blood pressure, high blood cholesterol, and diabetes. In addition, not smoking or quitting smoking is recommended as well as moderate alcohol use, maintaining a healthy weight, and getting proper nutrition and regular physical activity. Watch more video about heart disease or share your story on video with icyou.

Icyou | August 6, 2008

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