Cardiovascular diseases: definition, symptoms, causes, diagnosis, treatment and especially prevention

By Cristiano Antonino Last updated May 14, 2023

Cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of death and disability in our country and worldwide. These diseases of the heart and blood vessels, such as acute myocardial infarction, chronic ischaemic heart disease and heart failure, can develop at different ages of life (acquired cardiovascular diseases) or affect children from birth (congenital cardiovascular diseases)

Some cardiovascular diseases are more associated with age, such as problems related to valve degeneration, others arise more easily in connection with a series of incorrect lifestyle habits, such as those caused by the process of atherosclerosis.

Their prevalence represents a social but also an economic issue, due to the strong impact on public health and the community in terms of care burden.

For this reason, prevention is particularly important: acting on modifiable risk factors enables a reduction in the chance of developing cardiovascular disease or delaying its onset or progression.

Age, gender and family history: risk factors for non-modifiable cardiovascular disease

In medicine, a distinction must always be made between non-modifiable and modifiable cardiovascular risk factors.

The latter can be brought within normal limits by improving one’s habits and lifestyle, reducing their negative impact on health in the short and long term.

Non-modifiable factors include advancing age, which implies a physiological ageing of the body, and familiarity for certain diseases, i.e. the presence of cardiovascular diseases at an early age in close relatives, such as parents and siblings.

Among the non-modifiable risk factors, male gender should also be mentioned: up to the menopause. In fact, women have a lower cardiovascular risk due to the protection of female hormones.

Finally, there would be a greater susceptibility to the development of cardiovascular diseases on a geographical basis, mainly due to greater exposure to risk factors present in certain areas, such as poor air quality or a diet with prevalent characteristics.

Cardiovascular diseases: modifiable risk factors, what are they?

Cardiovascular risk factors that can be controlled by modifying one’s behavioural norms are

smoking habit
alcohol abuse
drug taking
sedentary lifestyle
unbalanced diet

Stress, a lack of or inadequate quality of sleep as well as poor access to care, for example due to a disadvantaged socio-economic status, can also increase the likelihood of developing cardiovascular diseases and suffering the consequences in terms of a worsening quality of life.

There are also a number of pathologies, which may be related to unbalanced lifestyles, which contribute to the development of diseases of the cardiovascular system.

These include

overweight and obesity
diabetes
metabolic syndrome
arterial hypertension
dyslipidemia (i.e. increased cholesterol and triglyceride levels)

Finally, risk factors include obstructive sleep apnoea, use of the contraceptive pill (particularly after the age of 35, as it is pro-thrombotic) and, for menopausal women, taking hormone replacement therapy.

Lifestyle: a key ally in cardiac prevention

The combination of an active lifestyle and a healthy diet contributes to maintaining a normal body weight and avoiding the development of overweight and obesity as well as metabolic problems.

Physical activity is understood to mean performing 150-300 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic physical activity per week, or at least 75-150 minutes of intense aerobic physical activity.

This can be summarised, for example, as aerobic activity of about 30 minutes in a row for at least 5 days out of 7.

The most suitable aerobic activities are light running, cycling, walking and swimming: of course, if you are not already used to doing this, you should introduce the activity gradually at the beginning.

Another piece of advice is to get used to incorporating bodily movement into one’s daily routine, because every activity consumes energy and can be useful in combating sedentariness: one can then choose cycling instead of motorised vehicles, or if distances are limited it is useful to walk them, or again, when possible, choose to take the stairs instead of the lift.

As far as diet is concerned, the recommended diet is the Mediterranean one, naturally rich in fruit and vegetables, 5 portions of which should be eaten every day, whole grain cereals, fish to be eaten between 2 and 4 times a week, and seasoning with extra virgin olive oil, better if used raw.

On the other hand, consumption of red meat and animal fats, butter and fatty cheeses, salt and sugar should be strongly controlled.

Attention should also be paid to the quantity, which should be optimal for each individual’s energy needs, depending on age, health condition and lifestyle.

Besides, of course, alcohol consumption, attention should also be paid to caffeine consumption, which should be limited, whether coffee or energy drinks.

Cardiological prevention: always follow your doctor’s advice

There are certain parameters that it is good to keep under control with the support of one’s general practitioner and, if necessary, with the relevant specialists.

In particular, it is necessary to keep track of the factors that contribute to high blood pressure, diabetes mellitus and dyslipidemia.

This will make it possible to avoid or delay their onset and keep the disease under control if it has already developed.

The parameters that are observed by doctors in these cases are

body weight
blood pressure
heartbeat rhythm and frequency
blood glucose level
blood cholesterol and triglycerides

On the other hand, those who are taking drugs and following therapies must always follow the pharmacological prescriptions of the specialist and, in case of doubts or forgetfulness, contact him for clarification, remembering to carry out tests and check-ups within the recommended timeframe.

Pregnant women, especially those affected by diabetes and hypertension, should refer to the gynaecologist and, in specific cases, to the nutritionist, for an evaluation of their state of health.

A cardiological examination is essential to keep an eye on the health of the heart, to make an early diagnosis of any pathologies and to obtain the necessary information on preventing cardiac disorders.

From the age of 40 in the case of a family history, and from the age of 50 in the general population, all people should have a check-up every five years, even in the absence of symptoms.

In the presence of symptoms, such as chest pain, shortness of breath, fainting, frequent dizziness and palpitations, it is a good idea to see a cardiologist as soon as possible for further investigation.

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