Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is sometimes called heart disease, but it is more than that.  Cardiovascular diseases affect the heart and the blood vessels.  Cardio is a word for heart and vascular refers to blood vessels.  The blood vessels are arteries and veins, which carry blood throughout the body. The heart pumps and moves the blood through the blood vessels (known as circulation).  There are different types of CVD that can affect your circulation system and that can put you at risk for heart attack or stroke.

Some factors put people at greater risk for heart disease, such as: 

• Smoking or using tobacco
• Having high blood pressure
• Having high blood cholesterol
• Having diabetes
• Not being active
• Being overweight or obese
• Being age 45 or older for men and 55 or older for women
• Having a family history of heart disease

There may be no signs of heart disease.

Talk to your healthcare provider about your risk factors and about having your blood pressure and blood cholesterol checked.

For More Information

American Heart Association

National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health

Related Programs and Services

Office of Health Promotion