Heart disease is an umbrella term for a number of different diseases which affect the heart and is the leading cause of death in the United States as of 2007. Heart disease is synonymous with cardiac disease but not with cardiovascular disease which is any disease of the heart or blood vessels. Heart disease is the number 1 killer of women. Being overweight raises your risk for heart disease.

Cholesterol

High blood cholesterol can clog your arteries and keep your heart from getting the blood it needs. People with high blood cholesterol or high blood triglycerides often have no symptoms, so have your blood cholesterol and triglyceride levels checked regularly. There are two types of cholesterol: Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) is often called the “bad” type of cholesterol because it can clog the arteries that carry blood to your heart.

Cardiovascular

Cardiovascular disease is any of a number of specific diseases that affect the heart itself and/or the blood vessel system, especially the veins and arteries leading to and from the heart. Cardiovascular disease (CVD), including heart disease and stroke, remains the leading cause of death in the United States despite improvements in prevention, detection, and treatment. Cardiovascular diseases remain the leading cause of disability among working adults.

Arteries

When you have CAD, your arteries become hard and narrow. High blood cholesterol can clog your arteries and keep your heart from getting the blood it needs. Heart disease is caused by narrowing of the coronary arteries that feed the heart. When damage occurs to the lining of our arteries (or even elsewhere) chemicals are released to initiate the process of inflammation. And the constriction of our arteries and the “thickening” of our blood further predisposes us to high blood pressure and heart attacks.

High blood pressure is a primary risk factor for heart disease and stroke. Angina pectoris and myocardial infarction (heart attack) are symptoms of and conditions caused by coronary heart disease. The most common cause of heart disease is a narrowing of or blockage in the coronary arteries supplying blood to the heart muscle itself (coronary artery disease). You can find out more about heart disease by contacting the National Women’s Health Information Center at 1-800-994-9662.

By: Gina Reay