Cardiovascular Disease is very common in Western Societies and affects the majority of adults past the age of 60 years old. Cardiovascular Disease can be divided into four major areas or diagnostic categories:
1. Coronary Disease – may cause heart attacks, angina or heart pain, heart failure, and sudden death.
2. Cerebrovascular Disease – manifests as strokes or mini strokes called TIA’s.
3. Aortic Atherosclerosis – may cause aneurysms or a weakening of the walls of the thoracic and abdominal aorta.
4. Peripheral Arterial Disease – manifests by leg cramps with exertion and poor leg circulation.
The National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP) Expert Panel on Detection, Evaluation, and Treatment of High Blood Cholesterol in Adults has determined the following to be the risk factors for Cardiovascular Disease:
Positive Risk:
Age – males 45 and over and females 55 and over and also females with premature menopause without estrogen replacement.
Family history of premature coronary heart disease – heart attack or sudden death before 55 years old in a male 1st degree relative or before 65 years old in a female 1st degree relative.
Current cigarette smoking.
High Blood Pressure: >140/90 (current recommendations state this should be <120/80.
HDL cholesterol < 40mg/dl. Negative Risk: HDL cholesterol >60mg/dl.
Many other factors are involved such as elevated LDL cholesterol, lifestyle factors such as exercise, diet, alcohol, and stress. Talk to your doctor to better determine your risk and formulate a plan to correct as many risk factors as possible.