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CVD accounts for approximately 40% of yearly deaths in the United States. CVD is not a single disease, but many diseases with different causes, risks, and potential interventions.
- Heart Attack (myocardial infarction) - Severely reduced or blocked blood supply to heart. See coronary artery disease.
- Acute Coronary Syndrome - Acute myocardial infarction or unstable angina.
- Aortic Aneurysm & Dissection - Aorta stretches or dilates (aneurysm) and ruptures (dissection).
- Arrhythmias - Irregular or abnormally fast/slow heartbeat.
- Cardiomyopathy - Weakening or change of heart muscle.
- Congenital Heart Disease - Malformations of heart structures, present at pregnancy/birth.
- Heart Failure (congestive) - Heart fails to pump enough blood and oxygen.
- High Blood Pressure (hypertension)
- High Cholesterol (hypercholesterolemia, hyperlipidemia) - The presence of high levels of in the blood.
- Metabolic Syndrome
- Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD) - Hardening of arteries supplying blood to arms/legs due to plaque buildup and narrowing of arteries.
- Rheumatic Heart Disease - Damage to heart valves and other structures due to inflammation/scarring from rheumatic fever.
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Lower Your CVD Risk
You can reduce your CVD risk by following therapeutic lifestyle changes (TLC) programs that include effective natural interventions:
- Eating healthier. Research suggests that a diet rich in whole grains, legumes, and vegetables (especially dark green, leafy variety) has a beneficial effect on cholesterol and blood pressure.
- Exercising. Exercise helps reduce obesity risk associated with CVD. Cardiovascular (aerobic) exercise can help strengthen the heart and help manage or reduce the risk to coronary artery disease and high blood pressure/cholesterol.
- Taking nutritional supplements. Supplementing a healthier diet with certain nutrients and herbs—B vitamins, vitamin E, hawthorn, arginine, CoQ10, garlic, plant sterols—at doses difficult to obtain from diet alone may be beneficial in supporting heart and overall health.
- Managing stress. Stress can increase CVD risk and contribute to high cholesterol/blood pressure and other risk factors (smoking, obesity due to emotional eating). Healthy eating and exercise are also excellent stress management strategies.
If you’re concerned about CVD or just want to improve your overall cardiovascular health, talk to your healthcare provider for help in developing a “heart smart” TLC program.
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