Cardiovascular disease

Cardiovascular disease is a group of many different sicknesses. These illnesses affect the heart and the blood vessels. Blood vessels are the tubes that carry blood through your body. Some diseases affect the heart muscle itself. Others affect the tubes that supply blood to the brain or legs.

For example, a stroke happens when blood vessels in the brain have problems. Other types include heart failure or problems with the heart's rhythm. These sicknesses are very important because they are a leading cause of death worldwide.

Many of these diseases work in a similar way. One common way is through atherosclerosis. This is when things build up inside the blood vessels. This buildup can be caused by high blood pressure or smoking. It can also come from things like diabetes or not exercising enough.

When the vessels get blocked, the blood cannot flow easily. This might lead to a heart attack or a stroke. Even a simple sore throat from strep can cause heart damage later. This happens if the infection leads to rheumatic heart disease.

Scientists and doctors have studied these patterns for a long time. They have found that these diseases are changing around the world. In most developed countries, the rates have gone down since the 1970s. However, deaths from these diseases are increasing in much of the developing world. In 2015, cardiovascular disease caused 17.9 million deaths globally. This was a big increase from the 12.3 million deaths in 1990.

Researchers now know that many of these deaths are preventable.

There are many facts about who gets these diseases. Age is one of the most important factors. The risk of heart disease can triple every ten years as you get older. In the United States, 11% of people aged 20 to 40 have these diseases. That number jumps to 85% for people over age 80.

Men are also about 50% more likely to develop these diseases than women. Men are often diagnosed seven to ten years earlier than women.

It is helpful to think of your heart like a machine that needs care. You can protect it by making good choices every day. Eating healthy foods with less salt and fat is a great start. Moving your body for 150 minutes of moderate activity each week helps too. Avoiding tobacco smoke is another way to keep your blood vessels clear.

Even small things like getting enough sleep can make a difference. Taking medicine for high blood pressure or diabetes also helps the heart stay strong. Most people can lower their risk by changing how they live.