Cardiovascular Disease: Types, Causes, and Symptoms

3.4.2025 0 comments

Author: Trisha Houghton, CNS, ASIST

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is currently the #1 leading cause of death in the world. That’s a pretty scary thought: your own cardiovascular system giving out, shutting down, or malfunction is such a common problem that it supersedes all other causes of death globally.Cardiovascular disease is a very real threat that everyone of every age should take seriously. Even if you’re young, now is the time to start taking steps to prevent cardiovascular disorder and cardiovascular conditions as you age.In this post, we’ll take a look at what cardiovascular disease is, including what types there are and what causes them. We’ll also examine a few of the more common symptoms of cardiovascular disease so you know what to watch out for.And finally, we’ll offer some simple but practical advice to help you reduce your cardiovascular disease risk with a few daily preventative measures. The information you’re about to learn in this post could, quite literally, save your life!

Introduction to Cardiovascular Disease (CVD)

Let’s start off by answering the core question: what is cardiovascular disease? Cardiovascular disease (or CVD) is a group of disorders that affect the cardiovascular system, including the heart and blood vessels. It’s estimated that nearly 18 million lives are lost each year due to coronary heart disease. More than 80% of those deaths are attributed to strokes and heart attacks. When we’re young, many of us mistake cardiovascular disease as being an “old person’s health problem”. Well, that’s blatantly untrue. It’s estimated that roughly one-third of deaths due to CVD occur in people younger than 70. Heart attacks, strokes, and cardiovascular health problems are growing more and more common among younger demographics with every passing year.Roughly 50% of all the adults in the U.S. (not just senior citizens, but all adults) have cardiovascular health problems in some form or another, ranging from mild to serious. Given its prevalence, you can see it’s important to understand what it is, how it manifests, and most important of all, what you can do about it. After all, your cardiovascular system is responsible for delivering oxygen and nutrients to your body. When that system shuts down or malfunctions, the rest of your body suffers—or if the CVD is bad enough, may even die.

Types of Cardiovascular Disease

Below you’ll find a list of some of the most prevalent cardiovascular diseases, along with information about their nature and health effects.

Atherosclerosis

Atherosclerosis is a narrowing of the arteries caused by a build-up of fatty deposits inside the blood vessels.There is always fat floating around your bloodstream, which your body utilizes for energy, hormone production, and cell membrane formation. However, the LDL cholesterol, along with inflammatory responses, will often start to stick to the walls of your arteries, where it oxidizes and hardens into plaque. That plaque stiffens the arterial walls (which are usually flexible to expand and contract to regulate blood flow) and reduces blood supply and increases the risk of heart attacks and strokes. The plaque can also crack due to high blood pressure, leading to cracks in the arterial walls. When your body rushes to form clots in that area to prevent internal bleeding, the clot can block the flow of blood in that region. The tissue on the other side of that clot suffers due to lack of oxygen (normally delivered by blood). Too long without oxygen and that tissue may die off.Atherosclerosis is one of the leading causes of heart attacks (blood flow to the heart cut off by clots) and strokes (blood flow to the brain cut off by clots). It’s also one of the primary causes of peripheral arterial disease (see the next section).

Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD)

Peripheral artery disease, also called peripheral vascular disease, is a condition caused by atherosclerosis in which narrowed arteries interrupt the normal flow of blood to your arm and leg muscles.Peripheral arterial disease may include no symptoms, or it may include numbness and pain in your extremities (typically in your legs), as well as shiny skin, wasting of your limb muscles, ulcers that don’t heal over time, or skin discoloration. “Internal claudication”—or pain that develops when in movement but disappears after resting for a few minutes—is another sign of PAD.

Coronary Artery Disease (CAD)

Coronary arterial disease, or CAD, is similar to atherosclerosis (a buildup of fatty deposits that harden into plaque), but it affects only the coronary arteries that supply oxygen rich blood to your heart. Typically, CAD develops over a long period of time. In fact, a significant percentage of American adults currently have some form of blockage forming in their coronary arteries, even if they’re experiencing no symptoms.However, when symptoms manifest, they’re usually in the form of chest discomfort or pain (angina). CAD is one of the most common causes of heart attacks.

Heart Failure

Heart failure is the term given to any condition in which the heart functions at less than optimal efficiency. The heart is still working, but it’s not able to meet the body’s demand for oxygenated blood.There are a few types of heart failure you need to know about:

• Right-sided heart failure. The right side of your heart moves deoxygenated blood toward the lungs to be infused with oxygen. Typically, failure in your right ventricle or right atrium is caused by malfunctions in the left side of the heart, which increases fluid pressure and causes damage to the heart’s right side.
• Left-sided heart failure. The left side of your heart pumps oxygenated blood out into your body. The left ventricle provides the bulk of the “pumping power” to keep oxygen-rich blood moving, and the left atrium temporarily holds and transfers the blood between pumps. With left-sided heart failure, the left side of your heart works harder but can’t pump enough blood due to inability to properly contract (called systolic failure) or inability to properly relax (called diastolic failure).
• Congestive heart failure. If the heart isn’t pumping blood efficiently through the body, blood traveling through the veins on its way back to your heart tends to get backed up. This causes congestion in the tissues, swelling, and even the collection of fluid in the lungs (called pulmonary edema) and extremities. Heart failure can also impair the kidneys’ ability to eliminate water and sodium from the blood, leading to higher blood volume, which can cause swelling (edema) in the tissue.

Arrhythmias (Irregular Heartbeat)

Arrythmias, or irregular heartbeats, are abnormalities in the timing, pattern, or rate of your heartbeat. Your heart may beat too fast or too slow, or you may “skip a beat” due to irregular rhythms. The heart function is controlled by electrical signals generated by the sinoatrial node (sinus node) in your heart’s upper right atrium. The electrical signal regulates the heart, controlling its relaxation and contraction rate to pump blood through the various chambers.Abnormal heart rhythms occur when the electrical signals misfire or fire out of rhythm. There are a few types of arrhythmias:

• Palpitations is the medical term given to the sensation of a heartbeat that is out of rhythm, usually due to electrical signals not originating from the sinus node.
• Ventricular tachycardia are rapid but inefficient contractions that take place in your heart’s ventricles.
• Bradycardia is a slowed-down heartbeat, slower than 60 beats per minute. This is caused by conditions like hypothyroidism, electrolyte imbalances, a blockage in an electrical circuit or a failing sinus node.
• Supraventricular tachycardia is a rapid heartbeat that occurs in the upper chambers of your heart. This can manifest as atrial fibrillation (ineffective contractions caused by irregular signals), paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia, or PVST (“short circuits” in your heart’s wiring causing rapid heartbeat), atrial tachycardia (atrial beating that is significantly faster than the ventricles), and atrial flutter (extremely rapid atrial beating caused by electrical short circuits).

Arrythmias may be minor or even no grave cause for concern, but in some cases, they can be life-threatening.

Others

There are also other types of cardiovascular diseases which include:

• Hypertension (High Blood Pressure) – A condition where the force of blood against artery walls is consistently too high, increasing the risk of heart attack, stroke, and heart failure.
• Cardiomyopathy – A disease of the heart muscle that affects its ability to pump blood efficiently, leading to heart failure in severe cases.
• Myocarditis – Inflammation of the heart muscle, often caused by viral infections, which can weaken the heart and lead to arrhythmias or heart failure.
• Pericarditis – Inflammation of the pericardium (the sac surrounding the heart), which can cause chest pain and fluid buildup around the heart.
• Rheumatic Heart Disease – Damage to the heart valves caused by untreated or poorly treated rheumatic fever, a complication of streptococcal infections.
• Congenital Heart Defects – Structural abnormalities of the heart present at birth, affecting normal blood flow and potentially requiring surgery or lifelong management.
• Aortic Aneurysm and Dissection – A weakening or tear in the aorta, the body’s main artery, which can lead to life-threatening internal bleeding if it ruptures.
• Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) and Pulmonary Embolism (PE) – Blood clots that form in deep veins (usually in the legs) and can travel to the lungs, causing a blockage.
• Valvular Heart Disease – Malfunctioning heart valves that either do not open properly (stenosis) or do not close completely (regurgitation), affecting blood flow.
• Sudden Cardiac Arrest – A sudden loss of heart function due to electrical disturbances, leading to loss of consciousness and requiring immediate medical intervention.

These diseases can significantly impact heart function and overall health, often requiring medical intervention and lifestyle adjustments. Early detection and proper management can help reduce risks and improve quality of life.

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Causes of Cardiovascular Disease

Cardiovascular disease can develop from a combination of lifestyle choices, genetic factors, and underlying medical conditions. Additionally, conditions like diabetes, obesity, and inflammation increase the risk of heart-related complications over time.Below are some of the most common reasons why cardiovascular problems occur.

Genetic Predisposition and Family History

There are a number of ways that genetics can play a role in cardiovascular disease.For example, some people are born with congenital abnormalities in the “wiring” of their heart. There may be abnormal muscle between the heart’s chambers or the special muscle cells that send signals aren’t “normal”. This can lead to misfiring or failure to sufficiently transport electrical signals to keep the heart beating normally.In other cases, people inherit conditions like arrhythmogenic right ventricular dysplasia (ARVD), in which heart muscle is replaced over time by scar tissue and fat, which reduces cardiovascular function and contributes to increased risk of arrhythmias.Congenital heart disease includes: 

• Cardiomyopathy
• Heart valve disease
• High blood cholesterol (which increases your risk of atherosclerosis)
• Arrhythmias
• Pulmonary hypertension
• Cardiac tumors
• Autoimmune conditions like scleroderma, lupus, or rheumatoid arthritis, all of which can increase the strain on your cardiovascular system and increase risk of CVD.

While not all heart conditions are due to inherited factors, genetics play a significant enough role in the majority of cases that it’s a factor that always has to be considered.

Lifestyle and Behavioral Factors

There are three primary lifestyle factors that drastically increase your risk of heart disease:

• An unhealthy diet. A diet that contains excessive saturated fats, trans fats, and added sugars which increase LDL cholesterol and inflammation, can increase the risk of atherosclerosis, which in turn elevates your risk of CVD. An imbalanced diet can drastically raise your levels of LDL cholesterol and triglycerides, but also lower the HDL cholesterol that is your body’s own cholesterol-regulating mechanism.

• Physical inactivity. Exercise helps regulate cholesterol in your body for energy, reducing your serum cholesterol and preventing the buildup of fats. It also strengthens your heart muscles, clears out arterial blockages, and keeps your blood vessels flexible and functional. A lack of exercise is one of the primary contributors to CVD.

• Smoking. Smoking weakens the walls of your arteries, damages cells, increases the buildup of plaque, increases risk of clotting, and raises your blood pressure. Put this all together and you have a drastic increase in heart disease risk.

Maintaining a healthy weight, staying active, and avoiding smoking can significantly lower your risk of heart disease. Each of these lifestyle choices is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease and can also lead to other complications, such as high blood pressure and diabetes.

Alcohol and Drug Use

Alcohol abuse or excessive alcohol consumption can raise your cardiovascular disease risk by:

• Weakening the heart muscles
• Increasing inflammation
• Raising blood pressure and causing high cholesterol, contributing to atherosclerosis
• Affect mitochondrial function
• Increase oxidative stress

There is a great deal of research proving that anything more than “moderate” alcohol intake can be seriously damaging for your heart.Recreational drug use can also be a significant contributor to heart problems. The use of cocaine and amphetamines can impair your sympathetic nervous system and can cause heart attacks, arrhythmias, and cause other adverse effects on your heart and blood vessels. Frequent drug use may increase your risk of tachycardia, blood pressure problems, vasoconstriction, atherosclerosis, coronary artery dissection, and more.

Associated Health Conditions

Health conditions like hypertension and diabetes can exacerbate CVD risk by causing direct damage to the vascular damage and increased plaque buildup creating increased strain on the cardiovascular system.For example, with hypertension, high blood pressure within the blood vessels stiffens arteries. If the walls are weakened by plaque, they are prone to cracking, leading to blood clots which can cause stroke or heart attack.With diabetes,the persistently high blood glucose can damage your blood vessels, increasing oxidative stress contributing to atherosclerosis and clot risk. Health conditions that can lead to or contribute to CVD include:

• High blood pressure (hypertension)
• Diabetes
• Sleep apnea
• Obesity (a higher body mass index)
• Viral infections

These, along with other risk factors, can drastically elevate your risk of heart and blood vessel disease.

Environmental and Socioeconomic Factors

Stress is one of the major risk factors for heart disease. Chronic stress can elevate your blood pressure, activate your sympathetic nervous system function, alter your hormonal balance, increase inflammation, and affect the way your heart functions. Over time, chronic stress can drastically elevate your risk of heart disease.

Long-term exposure to air pollution (from vehicle emissions, factory emissions, smog, wildfire smoke, etc.) can also lead to higher risk of not only cardiovascular disease, but mortality due to CVD.

Symptoms of Cardiovascular Disease

Symptoms of cardiovascular disease can vary, with some developing gradually and others having a sudden onset, such as a heart attack or stroke. Common signs include chest pain, shortness of breath, dizziness, and swelling in the legs, which may require a physical exam to assess heart function.Recognizing symptoms early is essential for primary prevention and helps reduce complications through lifestyle changes and medical intervention.

General Symptoms Across CVD Types

The most common heart disease symptoms are:

• Chest pain (angina)
• Pressure or heaviness in your chest
• Dizziness
• Exhaustion
• Fatigue
• Swelling in the legs or abdomen
• Shortness of breath

In certain conditions, there will be specific symptoms.For example: 

• With CAD, fatigue and chest pain are the most common symptoms.
• With heart failure, you may experience a persistent cough accompanied by an irregular heartbeat and edema (swelling).
• With arrhythmias, lightheadedness and palpitations are the most common symptoms.
• With peripheral arterial disease, leg pain, cramping, and slow-healing wounds are most likely.

Learning to recognize these symptoms for what they are could save your life!Cardiovascular disease, especially high blood pressure and atherosclerosis, is called “the silent killer,” because it often presents no symptoms until it’s too late. By the time you notice the pain, pressure, or shortness of breath, you may be having a full-on heart attack or stroke—which could be fatal.That’s why it’s so important to pay attention to even minor symptoms and signs. That way, you can detect any threats early on and take steps to address the health concerns before they become a serious threat.

Prevention and Risk Reduction Strategies

Taking care of your heart isn’t just about avoiding disease—it’s about feeling your best every day. Eating a healthy diet with the right nutrients can keep your blood vessels clear and your energy levels steady. Since heart muscle disease and other conditions can develop without obvious symptoms, regular check-ups and small lifestyle changes can make a big difference in the long run.

Healthy Lifestyle Adjustments

Eat more fiber-rich, natural foods, including fruits, veggies, seeds, nuts, and whole grains. Cut back on saturated fat and hydrogenated oils.Exercise daily, or at least 150 minutes of aerobic exercise or 75 minutes of intense exercise per week alongside strength training at least 2 times per week. Everything from running, walking, to lifting weights, dance lessons to Yoga—the more balanced you exercise, the better for your cardiovascular health.Manage your stress through meditation, Yoga, mindfulness, therapy, coaching and daily relaxing activities.

Regular Check-ups and Screening

Get checked out regularly for any indications of heart problems, including your blood pressure and blood cholesterol.After the age of 40, it’s important that you get routinely screened for high blood pressure, cholesterol, to detect cardiovascular disease before they develop into a serious threat.

Treatment and Management of Related Conditions

Treat and manage conditions like diabetes, hypertension, or autoimmune disorders that could increase your risk of heart disease. Many disorders and diseases can contribute to heart problems or damage your cardiovascular system, so it’s imperative that you treat issues before they lead to CVD.

In Conclusion 

Your heart is a finely tuned instrument that works hard to keep your blood flowing and circulating all day, every day. It’s the hardest-working organ in your body, so it’s no surprise it’s also prone to malfunctions, defects, and damage.It’s up to you to take active measures and look for lifestyle changes that reduce your cardiovascular risk. That includes eating mindfully, moving more, managing stress, and getting regularly screened.In cases of cardiovascular disease, a few ounces of prevention can make a world of difference!

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the average age of death from cardiovascular disease?

It is estimated that the average age of death, globally, from cardiovascular disease is 80 years in developed countries and around 68 years old in developing countries.

What are the chances of surviving cardiovascular disease?

Cardiovascular disease can be survivable with proper medical attention and care. One study [2] found survival rates for heart attacks are as high as 97%, provided people are hospitalized in time. Massive heart attacks, however, had a significantly lower survival rate. For coronary artery disease, research [3] suggests that the five-year survival rate is 55% for triple vessel disease, 65% for double vessel disease, and 92% for single vessel disease.

Can diet and exercise reverse heart disease?

Diet and exercise can’t reverse heart disease, but it can slow its progression. Diet and exercise can reduce arterial narrowing, increase circulation, increase cardiac muscle strength, and improve heart health in general.

Resources

Cardiovascular diseases

What is Cardiovascular Disease?

Cardiovascular Disease

Cardiovascular disease

Heart disease

Cardiovascular Disease

What is cardiovascular disease?

Peripheral arterial disease (PAD)

About Coronary Artery Disease (CAD)

Types of Heart Failure

Arrhythmia

Inherited Cardiovascular Disease

Alcohol’s Effects on the Cardiovascular System

Cardiovascular complications of recreational drugs

Ambient air pollution and cardiovascular diseases: An umbrella review of systematic reviews and meta‐analyses

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