Lifestyle Disorders: Cardiovascular Diseases

Lifestyle Disorders: Cardiovascular Diseases

Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are a group of diseases that affect the heart and blood vessels. The most frequently occurring are Coronary Heart Disease (CHD) — where coronary arteries are narrowed due to plaque buildup — and Myocardial Infarction (MI), a deadly situation caused by the stoppage of blood flow to the heart.

How Common Are They?

• CVDs constituted nearly 17 million global deaths in 2015 alone

• In the Indian population, more than 25% of deaths occur due to cardiovascular diseases

• The rate of deaths by CVDs in India is way higher than the worldwide average

• It is expected that more than 90% of CVDs are avoidable by adapting to a healthy lifestyle

• Close to 60% of the global CVD burden will happen in South Asian countries in the near future

Risk Factors and Complications

CVD risk factors fall into two categories: modifiable (obesity, sedentary lifestyle, smoking, alcohol, poor diet, stress) and non-modifiable (age, sex, family history, genetics). Understanding your genetic predisposition to cardiovascular disease is a powerful first step in prevention.

The Genetic Angle

Multiple genes are associated with elevated risk for CHD, hypertension, and MI — including variants in genes that regulate cholesterol metabolism, blood pressure, inflammation, and clotting. Knowing your genetic cardiovascular risk profile allows you and your physician to take targeted preventive action before symptoms appear.