Cardiovascular health - fact sheet

What is cardiovascular disease?

Cardiovascular disease is the general term used to include diseases of the heart (cardio) and of the blood vessels (veins and arteries). Most cardiovascular diseases involve the heart and the brain. Conditions such as deep vein thrombosis (DVT) involve veins in other parts of the body, such as the legs.

Types of cardiovascular disease

Aneurysm

A widening or bulge in an artery or vein that can burst.

Angina

Discomfort or chest pain caused by lack of blood flow and oxygen to the heart muscle.

Atherosclerosis

This is the gradual build-up of fatty deposits(plaque) on the inner walls of the arteries. Itcauses arteries to narrow, resulting in reducedblood flow to the heart and other organs. It cancause angina, heart attack and stroke.

Coronary heart disease

When atherosclerosis affects the arteries of theheart, it is called coronary heart disease.

Deep vein thrombosis (DVT)

Occurs when a clot forms in a vein situateddeep in the body.

Heart attack

Occurs when an artery to the heart becomescompletely blocked and blood flow is stoppedto part of the heart muscle.

High blood pressure

Continuously high blood pressure can damagearteries, the heart and other organs and adds to the risk of having a heart attack and stroke.

Stroke

If an artery to the brain becomes blocked, or blood vessels in the brain bleed, damage to that part of the brain may cause lossof consciousness, weakness, numbness, paralysis, dizziness, loss of balance, blurred or decreased vision, and difficulty in speaking or understanding.

Causes of cardiovascular disease

Causes can be related to lifestyle, such as lack of physical activity, poor nutrition and smoking. Some causes such as a family history of heart disease can’t be changed and some causes are lesser known, such as depression and being socially isolated.

What can you do for cardiovascular health?

The way to prevent cardiovascular disease is to do something about the causes that put you at risk.

• Know and understand your blood pressure numbers – get regular checks
• Know and understand your cholesterol levels – get regular checks
• Try a diet rich in vegetables, fruit, low-fatdairy foods, nuts, wholegrains, fish, chickenand lean meat, keeping saturated fats andsalt to a minimum (eg the DASH diet) – thistype of diet can help reduce blood pressure
• Soluble fibre is important in lowering ‘bad’ (LDL) cholesterol, so include foods such as oats, muesli, oat and rice bran, barley, legumes, fruit and vegetables
• Plant sterols lower cholesterol levels by stopping the absorption of cholesterol from the gut – they are found naturally in vegetable oils and most plant foods but are also in products such as spreads (eg Pro-Activ®) and milks (eg HeartActive®)
• Aim for 30 minutes of moderate activity on most days
• Don’t have more than two standard alcoholic drinks per day
• Take steps to manage your weight if you are overweight
• Depression and diabetes have been linked to cardiovascular disease, so it is important to manage these conditions
• Some medications will help to lower cholesterol or manage high blood pressure – discuss medications with your doctor
• A doctor is your best source of information. Referral to other accredited health practitioners may also help, such as:
  • cardiologists to test and monitor your heart conditions
  • dietitians to help with weight management and healthy eating
  • psychologists if you have feelings of depression or loneliness
  • exercise physiologists to help identify the right physical activity for your age, lifestyle and medical conditions
  • naturopaths for advice about supplements and vitamins.