What Is Cardiovascular Disease?

It is the build-up of fatty deposits inside our arteries and an increased risk of blood clots. Our arteries are the pipes that carry blood around the body. It is associated with damage to arteries in major organs in our bodies such as the heart, (causing heart attacks), brain (causing strokes and dementia), kidneys (causing kidney disease), eyes and blood supply to the legs.

Fatigue

Chest Pain

Pain in Arms/Legs

Very Slow/Fast Heartbeat

Chest pain
Pain, weakness, numb legs or arms
Breathlessness
Very slow or very fast heartbeats
Fatigue
Feeling dizzy, faint or lightheaded
Swollen legs

What Causes CVD?

There are many things that can increase your risk of developing CVD. The more risk factors you have, the greater your chances of developing CVD. The good news is most risk factors can be changed, treated or controlled:

Some cannot be changed such as advancing age, gender (men are more at risk, women are more at risk after the menopause). A family history of CVD where a mother, father, sister or brother had a stroke before 55 years of age for men, or 65 years of age for women.

Healthy Hearts Carmarthenshire

What Is Cardiovascular Disease?