Cardiovascular disease - Renew Clinic

Cardiovascular Disease (CVD)

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) refers to conditions that affect the heart and blood vessels. It is also called heart disease. The main types of CVD are:

• Coronary artery disease - when fatty deposits called plaque build up inside the coronary arteries. This causes the arteries to narrow, reducing blood flow to the heart. It can lead to angina (chest pain) or a heart attack.
• Stroke - when blood flow to part of the brain is interrupted due to a blood clot or bursting of a blood vessel in the brain. Parts of the brain do not get oxygen, causing brain cells to die. This can lead to brain damage, disability or death.
• Heart failure - when the heart muscle becomes too weak to adequately pump blood around the body. Symptoms include shortness of breath, fatigue, and swelling in the legs/feet.

Risk Factors

Risk factors for CVD include high blood pressure, elevated cholesterol levels, smoking, obesity, diabetes, poor diet, physical inactivity, family history, and age. Men also have a higher risk compared to women.

Prevention and Treatment

To help prevent CVD, it is important to eat a healthy diet, maintain a healthy weight, exercise regularly, avoid smoking, and have regular checkups with your doctor. Controlling other medical conditions like diabetes and high cholesterol is also beneficial.

If you have symptoms of CVD, it is important to see your doctor promptly. Tests like ECGs, blood tests, and imaging scans can help diagnose the condition. Treatment aims to widen blocked arteries, lower blood pressure/cholesterol, and prevent complications. Lifestyle changes are also key.

For more information or to schedule an appointment, visit Renew Clinic.