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Stroke or CVA is another category listed under CV Disease

A Stroke is a lack of blood flow to the brain from a blood clot, or bleeding in the brain from a broken blood vessel, causes a stroke. Without a good blood supply, brain cells cannot get enough oxygen and begin to die.

You can also have what are sometimes called “mini strokes,” or transient ischemic attacks (TIAs), where no damage is done to the brain. But even though they do no damage, TIAs are serious and can put you at higher risk of having a full stroke. Not controlling high blood pressure, smoking, and diabetes all increase your risk for stroke.

What is heart and cardiovascular disease?

While often thought of as the same thing, heart and cardiovascular disease are different, involving different parts of your body.

Heart disease refers only to diseases of the heart and the blood vessel system within the heart.

Cardiovascular disease refers to diseases of the heart and diseases of the blood vessel system (arteries, capillaries, veins) within a person’s entire body, such as the brain, legs, and lungs. “Cardio” refers to the heart and “vascular” refers to the blood vessel system.

The heart is a strong, muscular pump slightly larger than your fist. It pumps blood continuously through the circulatory system, the network of elastic tubes that allows blood to flow throughout your body. The circulatory system includes two major organs, the heart and lungs, and blood vessels (arteries, capillaries, and veins).

Arteries and capillaries carry oxygen- and nutrient-rich blood from the heart and lungs to all parts of the body. Veins carry oxygen- and nutrient-depleted blood back to the heart and lungs. Heart and blood vessel problems do not happen quickly. Over time, the arteries that bring blood to the heart and brain can become blocked from a buildup of cells, fat, and cholesterol (plaque). Reduced blood flow to the heart from blockages in the arteries causes heart attacks. Lack of blood flow to the brain from a blood clot, or bleeding in the brain from a broken blood vessel, causes a stroke.

How do I know if I have heart or cardiovascular disease? Are there any tests?

Heart disease can often have no symptoms, which is why it is called a “silent” killer. But, there are some symptoms that can alert you to a possible problem. Chest or arm discomfort, especially while under stress or during activity, is a classic symptom of heart disease, and is a warning sign of a heart attack. You may also have fatigue (with no reason why), shortness of breath, dizziness, nausea, or abnormal heart beats (palpitations).

Talk with your health care provider if you think you may be having any symptoms of heart disease. Your health care provider will first take a complete medical history and do a physical exam. There are many tests for heart disease.

The choice of which (and how many) tests to perform depends on a person’s symptoms and history of heart problems. A health care provider will most often start with simple tests, which may lead to tests that are more complex. More than one test may be needed because each test gives different information. Tests can be either invasive or noninvasive. Invasive tests involve the insertion of needles, instruments, or fluids into the body; noninvasive tests do not.

Do women really need to worry about heart and cardiovascular disease?

Yes. Many women think heart disease is a man’s problem, but heart disease is very much a woman’s problem. Did you know that heart disease is the #1 killer of women, as well as men in America? And that stroke is the 3rd leading cause of death for American women (cancer is #2)? Heart disease affects women of all racial and ethnic groups, as well as women with other illnesses, such as diabetes. Black women are more likely to die of heart disease than white women are. Increasing age is also a factor in heart disease and with people age 65 and over being the fastest growing group in the U.S., heart disease is becoming a growing problem for women.

Almost twice as many women die from cardiovascular diseases than from all forms of cancer combined. Men have heart attacks and strokes more often than do women. But, the death rate for women from cardiovascular disease is higher. As women age, particularly after menopause, they become more at risk for cardiovascular disease.

Lower levels of estrogen during and after menopause are thought to increase a woman’s risk for cardiovascular disease. Early menopause, natural or surgical, can double a woman’s risk for developing coronary heart disease (see next question for definition). Younger women are also at risk for cardiovascular disease if they smoke or have high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol levels, and a family history of cardiovascular disease at young ages. Women with congenital heart disease (born with a heart defect) have a higher risk of having a baby with a heart defect.

So remember, men and women need to remember heart disease is a growing problem for everyone.

How can I reduce my risk for heart and cardiovascular disease?

Regular physical activity can help you reduce your risk of heart and cardiovascular disease. Being active helps women take off extra pounds, helps to control blood pressure, lessens a diabetic’s need for insulin, and boosts the level of “good” cholesterol. Some studies show that being inactive increases the risk of heart attack. Other ways to reduce your risk include:

Quit smoking - talk with your health care provider if you need help quitting.

Cut back on foods high in saturated fat and cholesterol.

Check blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar levels and keep them under control.

Exercise at least 30 minutes a day on most (if not all) days of the week.

Lose weight if you are overweight and keep at a healthy weight.

How much difference can diet and exercise really make on the health of my heart and cardiovascular system?

Having a low saturated fat, low cholesterol diet and getting regular exercise are excellent health habits for all women to have. These good health habits will lower blood pressure and keep blood sugar and blood cholesterol levels healthy. Studies have shown that being physically active decreases the risk of cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure, and diabetes.

Women, along with most Americans, are becoming more and more inactive. About 60% of American women do not engage in the recommended amount of physical activity needed to maintain health. The Surgeon General recommends getting 30 minutes of moderate activity on most, and preferably all, days of the week to protect heart and overall health.
This includes activities such as brisk walking, bicycling, and gardening. You do not have to do the activity for 30 minutes in a row; you can divide it into shorter periods of at least 10 minutes each. Women who have had heart attacks might worry about exercising after their recovery. Studies have shown that people who include regular physical activity in their lives after a heart attack, improve their chances of survival. If you have had a heart attack, talk with your health care provider about developing an exercise plan.