Cardiovascular disease (also called heart disease) is a class of diseases that involve the heart, the blood vessels (arteries, capillaries, and veins) or both.[1]
Cardiovascular disease refers to any disease that affects the cardiovascular system, principally cardiac disease, vascular diseases of the brain and kidney, and peripheral arterial disease.[2] The causes of cardiovascular disease are diverse but atherosclerosis and hypertension are the most common. In addition, with aging come a number of physiological and morphological changes that alter cardiovascular function and lead to increased risk of cardiovascular disease, even in healthy asymptomatic individuals.[3]
Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of deaths worldwide, though, since the 1970s, cardiovascular mortality rates have declined in many high-income countries.[4][5] At the same time, cardiovascular deaths and disease have increased at a fast rate in low- and middle-income countries.[6] Although cardiovascular disease usually affects older adults, the antecedents of cardiovascular disease, notably atherosclerosis, begin in early life, making primary prevention efforts necessary from childhood.[7] There is therefore increased emphasis on preventing atherosclerosis by modifying risk factors, for example by healthy eating, exercise, and avoidance of smoking tobacco.
Types
Disability-adjusted life year for inflammatory heart diseases per 100,000 inhabitants in 2004.[8]
no data
less than 70
70–140
140–210
210–280
280–350
350–420
420–490
490–560
560–630
630–700
700–770
more than 770
Coronary artery disease (also known as coronary heart disease and ischemic heart disease)
Cardiomyopathy – diseases of cardiac muscle
Hypertensive heart disease – diseases of the heart secondary to high blood pressure
Heart failure
Pulmonary heart disease – a failure at the right side of the heart with respiratory system involvement
Cardiac dysrhythmias – abnormalities of heart rhythm
Inflammatory heart disease
Endocarditis – inflammation of the inner layer of the heart, the endocardium. The structures most commonly involved are the heart valves.
Inflammatory cardiomegaly
Myocarditis – inflammation of the myocardium, the muscular part of the heart.
Valvular heart disease
Cerebrovascular disease – disease of blood vessels that supply blood to the brain such as stroke
Peripheral arterial disease – disease of blood vessels that supply blood to the arms and legs
Congenital heart disease – heart structure malformations existing at birth
Rheumatic heart disease – heart muscles and valves damage due to rheumatic fever caused by Streptococcus pyogenes a group