Cardiovascular Disease (CVDs)

Almost half of adults (age 20 and older) in the United States have cardiovascular disease.¹  These diseases develop over time and can lead to several serious medical conditions. The sooner cardiovascular disease is detected the easier it is to treat.

What is cardiovascular disease?

Cardiovascular disease (CVDs) affects your heart and blood vessels. These diseases can affect one or more sections of your heart and/or blood vessels.

Did you know? One person with CVD can have physical symptoms of the disease while another person with CVD can have no symptoms at all.

Symptoms of cardiovascular disease can include:

• Chest pain, tightness, or discomfort
• Fainting or almost fainting
• Fatigue
• Feeling short of breath during activity or at rest
• Irregular heartbeat

• Lightheadedness
• Pain in the neck, jaw, throat, upper belly, or back
• Rapid, pounding, or fluttering heartbeat
• Shortness of breath
• Swollen legs, ankles, or feet

What causes cardiovascular disease?

The cause of cardiovascular disease varies depending on the specific type of CVD you're diagnosed with. As an example, a buildup of plaque in the arteries, also known as atherosclerosis, causes coronary artery disease (CAD) and peripheral artery disease (PAD). Your doctor can go over your risk factors of developing specific types of CVDs based on your medical and family history.

Risk factors for cardiovascular disease can include:

Almost 50% of the adult population in the United States has at least one of three key risk factors for cardiovascular disease. ²

• High blood pressure
• High cholesterol
• Tobacco use (including vaping)
• Type 2 diabetes
• Family history of heart disease
• Lack of physical activity
• Having excess weight or obesity
• Diet high in sodium, sugar, and fat

• Overuse of alcohol
• Misuse of prescription or recreational drugs
• Preeclampsia or toxemia
• Gestational diabetes
• Chronic inflammatory or autoimmune conditions
• Chronic kidney disease

How is cardiovascular disease diagnosed?

Detecting cardiovascular disease early matters because it is preventable. Early diagnosis allows for prompt treatment, medication, and management of your symptoms to begin. Your provider will talk about risk factors, any symptoms you may have, and review your medical and family history. They will also use a range of diagnostic laboratory and imaging tests to help with a diagnosis.

How is cardiovascular disease treated?

Treatments for cardiovascular disease can differ depending on your specific condition, but can include:

• Lifestyle changes such as diet, exercise, and alcohol and tobacco use
• Medication, including ones that treat risk factors like blood pressure or to dissolve blood clots
• Devices such as pacemakers or implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICDs)
• Medical procedures including stents, heart valve surgery, or coronary bypass surgery

How can I reduce my risk of cardiovascular disease?

Cardiovascular disease remains the leading cause of death both globally and in the United States. Unlike many health conditions, cardiovascular disease is preventable. There are eight steps you can take to improve your health and reduce your risk of developing this disease:

• Stop smoking.
• Get a good night's sleep. Learn more about improving your sleep.
• Lower your blood pressure.
• Lower your cholesterol.
• Monitor your triglycerides.
• Exercise regularly.
• Modify your diet. Find heart healthy recipes from the American Heart Association.
• Lose weight. Learn more about your weight-loss options.