Cardiovascular disease (CVD) refers to conditions that affect the heart and blood vessels. It is the leading cause of death globally, responsible for over 17 million deaths per year. The most common types of CVD include:
- Coronary artery disease: This causes reduced blood flow in the arteries supplying the heart muscle. It can lead to angina (chest pain) and heart attack.
- Cerebrovascular disease: This affects blood flow to the brain and includes stroke and transient ischemic attacks (mini-strokes).
- High blood pressure (hypertension): This makes the heart work too hard and damages arteries. It increases risk for heart attacks, stroke, and kidney disease.
- Arrhythmias: Abnormal heart rhythms like atrial fibrillation. These make the heart pump less efficiently.
The main
risk factors for CVD include tobacco use, lack of physical activity, poor nutrition, and excessive alcohol consumption. Heredity, age, sex, and mental stress can also play a role.
Lifestyle changes and medications can help prevent and manage most types of cardiovascular disease. For example:
- Eating a healthy diet high in fruits, vegetables, whole grains and low in salt, sugar, and unhealthy fats
- Getting regular exercise
- Avoiding tobacco
- Limiting alcohol intake
- Taking medications, if prescribed
If the above measures fail to control symptoms, procedures like
angioplasty, stenting or bypass surgery may be performed to improve blood flow to the heart or brain.
At Elite Hormone Health, we offer cutting-edge hormone optimization therapy to help regulate cholesterol, blood pressure, weight, and other CVD risk factors. Our individualized programs combine bioidentical hormone replacement, customized nutrition plans, fitness guidance and stress reduction techniques to reduce cardiovascular disease likelihood and enhance heart health. Ask our practitioners today if hormone therapy is right for your cardiovascular wellness journey!
I hope this overview on what comprises CVD, its major risk factors, and both lifestyle/medicinal prevention approaches as well as Elite Hormone Health’ innovative offerings provides helpful education! Let me know if you have any other questions.