1. World problems
  2. Cardiovascular disorders

Cardiovascular disorders

  • Cardiovascular diseases
  • Impairments of cardiovascular system function
  • Cardiovascular complications
  • Cardiovascular events

Nature

Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are the main causes of invalidism and premature death in economically developed countries. CVD is not one disease but a set of conditions involving the heart or blood vessels. Many diseases are included under this umbrella including angina, heart attack (myocardial infarction) and non-haemorrhagic strokes. The primary pathology leading to heart disease is atherosclerosis, an inflammatory and a scarring process of the lining of the arteries.

Background

Cardiovascular diseases include endocarditis, which is the main cause of acquired heart diseases; arteriosclerosis, the most widespread arterial disease; arteritis; and myocardial ischaemia, which is the major cause of death attributed to cardiovascular diseases.

Incidence

The prevalence of cardiovascular diseases has increased with the average life expectancy (an aging population) and with advances in diagnosis. Cardiovascular diseases are currently responsible for more deaths than any other reported cause in the Americas and Europe; in Europe, accounting for 49% of deaths, with malignant neoplasms (18%) in second place. For both groups of diseases, environmental tobacco smoke is an important environmental risk factor. Urbanization, which increases stress and makes for irregular eating habits (fast food and prepared foods) and air pollution, plays a significant role in cardiovascular diseases. Other major risk factors for heart disease are depression, high blood pressure, high blood cholesterol (notably LDL cholesterol), diabetes and excess weight. 63% of coronary heart disease is inherited.

Broader

Narrower

Heart disorders
Presentable
Arteriosclerosis
Presentable
Vascular disease
Yet to rate

Aggravates

Sleep disorders
Presentable
Fainting
Presentable
Cyanosis
Presentable
Nocturia
Yet to rate

Aggravated by

Obesity
Excellent
Hookworm
Excellent
Diabetes
Excellent
Hypertension
Presentable

Reduced by

Related

Sleep apnoea
Presentable
Scurvy
Yet to rate

Strategy

Value

Disorder
Yet to rate
Disease
Yet to rate
Weakness
Yet to rate

Reference

SDG

Sustainable Development Goal #3: Good Health and Well-being

Metadata

Database
World problems
Type
(D) Detailed problems
Subject
  • Health care » Handicapped
  • Medicine » Circulatory system » Circulatory system
  • Medicine » Pathology
  • Content quality
    Presentable
     Presentable
    Language
    English
    Last update
    May 20, 2022