Cardiovascular and Cerebrovascular Disease

What are cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases?

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) or heart disease are conditions that effect the heart and blood vessels such as angina, heart attack, cardiomyopathy, heart valve disease, congenital heart disease and others. Coronary heart disease is the most common type of heart disease in the U.S. and in Chester County. Cerebrovascular disease describes conditions that affect the blood flow to the brain. The most common cerebrovascular disease is stroke. Common CVDs, such as coronary heart disease can significantly increase your risk for cerebrovascular diseases, especially stroke. Visit the American Heart Association and American Association of Neurological Surgeons to learn about other types of cardiovascular disease and cerebrovascular disease.

What increases my risk for these conditions?

Unhealthy blood cholesterol levels
High blood pressure
Smoking
Lack of physical activity
Unhealthy diet
Insulin resistance/diabetes
Overweight/obesity
Older age
Family history of early heart disease

While some of these factors cannot be controlled, there are lifestyle choices that you can make to lower your risk for CVD and cerebrovascular disease.

Prevention

Remember Your ABCS

Appropriate Aspirin Therapy- Aspirin may reduce risk of cardiovascular disease in some individuals. Talk to your doctor about whether or not daily aspirin therapy may help you.
Blood Pressure Control- Get your blood pressure checked regularly. Control high blood pressure by eating a healthy diet, increasing physical activity, and/or taking certain medications prescribed by your doctor.
Cholesterol Management- Get your cholesterol checked regularly. Improve unhealthy cholesterol levels through healthy eating and increasing physical activity.
Smoking Cessation- If you smoke, quit. For smoking cessation classes in Chester County, visit the Health Department website or contact the PA Free Quitline 24/7 at 800-784-8669.

Talk to your Health Care Professional

Get regular checkups to stay aware of your blood pressure and cholesterol.
Tell your doctor if you have a family history of early heart disease.
Follow your doctor’s instructions about medications you take.

Eat Healthy for Your Heart

Eat lots of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.
Check nutrition labels and choose foods low in sodium (salt), saturated fat, trans fat, and cholesterol.
Cook more meals at home. Find healthy recipes and more from the American Heart Association.
Limit alcohol. Excessive drinking may cause high blood pressure.

Get Moving

Get 30 minutes of physical activity several days a week.
Make physical activity part of your daily routine. Examples include taking the stairs, walking the dog, or going on a bike ride with your family.

Use My Life Check to learn how you are doing with heart health. You’ll also learn steps you can take to lower your risk of heart disease and stroke.

Stroke and Heart Attack

A heart attack happens when part of the heart does not receive enough blood. This usually occurs due to a clot in a blood vessel. The affected part of the heart muscle does not receive enough oxygen and becomes damaged or dies.

A stroke usually happens when the brain does not receive enough blood. This usually occurs due to a clot in a blood vessel. A stroke can also result when a blood vessel inside the brain bursts. Brain cells do not receive enough oxygen and become damaged or die.

Conditions, such as heart attack and stroke, can happen suddenly and are serious medical emergencies.

Symptoms

Heart Attack

Chest pain or discomfort
Upper body discomfort (arms, back, shoulders, neck, jaw, upper stomach)
Shortness of breath
Breaking out in a cold sweat
Unusually tired for no reason, sometimes for days (especially in women)
Nausea and vomiting
Light-headed or sudden dizziness

If you or someone you are with experiences any heart attack symptoms, dial 9-1-1 immediately.

Symptoms vary person to person. Some individuals experience few symptoms. Some experience no symptoms at all. Visit the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute for more information on symptoms of a heart attack.