CVD referes to a group of diseases that target the heart and blood vessels and result from complex interactions between multiple inherited traits and environmental issues including diet, body weight, blood pressure, and lifestyle habits. Common forms of CVD include heart disease, stroke, and congestive heart failure. A major cause of CVD is atherosclerosis, the thickening and hardening of the arteries by deposits of fatty substances, cholesterol, and cellular debris, which build up into plaque. Elevated levels of cholesterol and triglycerides, high blood pressure, and cigarette smoke are the three major causes of atherosclerosis, which can lead to heart and brain attacks. Americans die each year from heart attacks within one hour of experiencing symptoms and before reaching a hospital.
Stroke is a leading cause of serious, long-term disability in the United States.
More than 4.9 million Americans have congestive heart failure, which is the single most frequent case of hospitalization of Americans age 65 and older. About 29 percent of people who have an initial stroke die within a year. This percentage is higher among people age 65 and older. CVD is the No. 1 cause of emergency room visits, and more money is spent on treating heart disease and stroke than any other cause of hospitalization. TMA Foundation Contact Information Copyright 1999 Texas Medical Association .