Cardiovascular disease
Cardiovascular disease is any condition that involves the heart or blood vessels. This broad category includes coronary artery diseases such as angina and heart attacks. It also encompasses heart failure, hypertensive heart disease, and rheumatic heart disease. Cardiomyopathy describes diseases of the cardiac muscle itself. Arrhythmia refers to abnormalities in heart rhythm. Congenital heart disease represents structural malformations existing at birth. Valvular heart disease affects the valves that regulate blood flow through the heart. Carditis indicates inflammation of the heart tissue. Aortic aneurysms involve a dangerous bulging of the main artery leaving the heart. Peripheral artery disease restricts blood flow to the arms and legs. Thromboembolic disease occurs when clots block blood vessels. Venous thrombosis specifically affects veins. These conditions vary significantly in their underlying mechanisms yet share a common impact on circulation.
In 2015 cardiovascular diseases resulted in 17.9 million deaths globally. This figure represented 32.1% of all deaths worldwide. In 1990 the number stood at 12.3 million deaths accounting for 25.8%. Deaths from these conditions are more common and increasing in much of the developing world. Rates have declined in most developed nations since the 1970s. Coronary artery disease and stroke account for 80% of cardiovascular deaths in males. The same two conditions make up 75% of deaths in females. Cardiovascular diseases remain the leading cause of death worldwide except in Africa. Over 80% of all global deaths caused by cardiovascular diseases occurred in low- and middle-income countries. It is estimated that by 2030 over 23 million people will die annually from these conditions. Sixty percent of the world's burden will occur in the South Asian subcontinent despite it holding only 20% of the population.
Dietary risk factors are associated with 53% of cardiovascular disease deaths. High blood pressure accounts for approximately 13% of these deaths. Tobacco use contributes to about 9% of cases. Diabetes mellitus explains 6% while lack of exercise also accounts for 6%. Obesity is responsible for 5% of the total mortality burden. Cigarettes represent the major form of smoked tobacco causing direct health risks. Second-hand smoke exposure adds further danger to non-smokers. Insufficient physical activity defined as less than five sessions of thirty minutes per week is currently the fourth leading risk factor for mortality worldwide. In 2008 thirty-one point three percent of adults aged fifteen or older were insufficiently physically active. Frequent consumption of high-energy processed foods promotes obesity and increases cardiovascular risk. The amount of dietary salt consumed may be an important determinant of blood pressure levels. Drinking alcohol at high levels creates a direct relationship with cardiovascular disease. Moderate drinking involves one drink per day for women or two drinks a day for men.
Up to ninety percent of cardiovascular disease may be preventable if established risk factors are avoided. Maintaining a healthy diet such as the Mediterranean diet reduces risk significantly. Replacing saturated fat with polyunsaturated vegetable oil reduced cardiovascular disease by thirty percent in clinical trials. Decreasing body fat if overweight or obese lowers risk substantially. Bariatric surgery following severe obesity is associated with a forty-six percent reduction in cardiovascular risk. Limiting alcohol consumption to recommended daily limits helps reduce risk. Stopping smoking and avoiding second-hand smoke reduces risk by about thirty-five percent. Engaging in at least one hundred fifty minutes of moderate exercise per week provides protection. Lowering blood pressure even within normal ranges appears effective. Adults need about seven to nine hours of sleep to maintain heart health. Sleep apnea acts as a major risk factor causing breathing to stop briefly. A 2018 meta-analysis concluded that most countries see a vegan diet associated with a more favorable cardio-metabolic
profile compared to omnivorous diets.
Blood pressure medication reduces cardiovascular disease in people at risk regardless of age or baseline levels. Statins are effective in preventing further cardiovascular disease in those with a history of the condition. In primary prevention statins decrease the risk of death and combined fatal and non-fatal events though the benefit remains small. United States guidelines recommend statins for individuals with twelve percent or greater risk over ten years. Anti-diabetic medication may reduce cardiovascular risk in type two diabetes patients though evidence remains inconclusive. Aspirin has been found to be of only modest benefit in low-risk groups due to bleeding risks. Antibiotics for secondary prevention of coronary heart disease are now considered harmful according to 2021 evidence. Surgical interventions include valve replacement surgery for heart valve problems. Pacemakers can be implanted to help reduce abnormal rhythms during arrhythmias. Coronary angioplasty offers options for treating heart attacks alongside coronary artery bypass surgery. Influenza vaccination may decrease the chance of cardiovascular
events and death in affected populations.
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Common questions
What is cardiovascular disease?
Cardiovascular disease is any condition that involves the heart or blood vessels. This broad category includes coronary artery diseases such as angina and heart attacks, heart failure, hypertensive heart disease, rheumatic heart disease, cardiomyopathy, arrhythmia, congenital heart disease, valvular heart disease, carditis, aortic aneurysms, peripheral artery disease, thromboembolic disease, and venous thrombosis.
How many people died from cardiovascular disease in 2015?
In 2015 cardiovascular diseases resulted in 17.9 million deaths globally. This figure represented 32.1% of all deaths worldwide. Over 80% of all global deaths caused by cardiovascular diseases occurred in low- and middle-income countries.
What are the main risk factors for cardiovascular disease?
Dietary risk factors are associated with 53% of cardiovascular disease deaths while high blood pressure accounts for approximately 13% of these deaths. Tobacco use contributes to about 9% of cases and diabetes mellitus explains 6% while lack of exercise also accounts for 6%. Obesity is responsible for 5% of the total mortality burden.
Can cardiovascular disease be prevented?
Up to ninety percent of cardiovascular disease may be preventable if established risk factors are avoided. Maintaining a healthy diet such as the Mediterranean diet reduces risk significantly and replacing saturated fat with polyunsaturated vegetable oil reduced cardiovascular disease by thirty percent in clinical trials. Stopping smoking and avoiding second-hand smoke reduces risk by about thirty-five percent.
What medications treat cardiovascular disease?
Blood pressure medication reduces cardiovascular disease in people at risk regardless of age or baseline levels. Statins are effective in preventing further cardiovascular disease in those with a history of the condition and United States guidelines recommend statins for individuals with twelve percent or greater risk over ten years. Anti-diabetic medication may reduce cardiovascular risk in type two diabetes patients though evidence remains inconclusive.