Back to homepage
MyChart

Cardiovascular Disease Infographic

This infographic explains the cardiovascular disease or CVD, which is a broad term for a range of diseases affecting the heart and blood vessels. CVD is the leading cause of deaths in the United States.

TYPES

Types of heart diseases include heart failure, cardiomyopathy, cardiac dysrhythmias, pulmonary heart disease, inflammatory cardiomegaly, etc. There are also CVD relating to the blood vessels called the vascular diseases namely coronary artery disease, aortic aneurysm, peripheral arterial disease, cerebrovascular disease and Renal artery stenosis.

CAUSES/ ETIOLOGY

The causes differ depending on the disease in question. The common causes are excessive alcohol consumption, diabetes, obesity, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, smoking, or caffeine, drug abuse, stress etc.

SIGNS/ SYMPTOMS

As shown in the infographic, the main CVD symptoms are recurring chest pain, nausea, shortness of breath, pains in the limbs or neck, etc. Sudden weakness of the face and limbs– most often on one side of the body; sudden confusion, trouble speaking or understanding; sudden difficulty in seeing, sudden trouble walking, loss of balance or coordination; and sudden, severe headache are usual symptoms seen when a person gets a stroke.

INCIDENCES/ STATISTICS

CVD alone has caused more deaths than cancer, chronic lower respiratory diseases, and accidents combined. Someone has a heart attack every 42 seconds in the United States. Both men and women are affected by this disease and people of all ages can suffer from CVD. Heart disease increases the need for quality medical care as well as quality care at home for the elderly. A high number of US adults have high blood pressure and diabetes. The most common type of heart disease is coronary heart disease which killed about 365,000 people in 2014.

DIAGNOSTIC EVAUATIONS

There are different ways to detect the abnormality inside the heart. Besides blood tests and a chest X-ray, tests to diagnose heart disease can include cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), cardiac computerized tomography (CT) scans, electrocardiogram (ECG), cardiac catheterization, and Holter monitoring.

PREVENTION/ TREATMENT

Certain types of heart disease, such as heart defects, can't be prevented. However, you can help reduce or prevent many other types of heart diseases. Some tips to improve the condition of the heart include:

  • Regular medical checkups for early detection of abnormalities
  • Include fresh and natural ingredients in your diet to control blood pressure, maintain body weight, regulate cholesterol and sugar levels
  • Start working out to keep the heart young and the body energetic
  • Practice good hygiene
  • Alcohol consumption, smoking, usage of drugs and other harmful vices should be avoided
  • Reduce and manage stress

Hope you found the information in this infographic useful. To host the infographic on your website or blog, please get in touch with us.

cardiovascular disease infographic - saint alphonsus



REFERENCES