An Introduction to Signs and Symptoms of Cardiovascular Disease
Cardiovascular disease is not one condition. Rather, it is a name used to describe conditions and diseases that affect the heart ("cardio") and blood vessels ("vascular") throughout the body. There are more than 60 types of
cardiovascular disease, ranging from the common (coronary
heart disease) to the not-so-common (tetralogy of Fallot). Some cardiovascular conditions are present at birth, while others develop over many years. When talking about symptoms of cardiovascular disease, it is not possible to provide a list, because each condition can have so many different symptoms.
That being said, while cardiovascular disease can occur anywhere in the body, it does tend to occur more frequently in the:
- Heart
- Brain
- Legs
- Pelvis
- Arms.
Symptoms Affecting the Heart
There are a number of different
types of heart disease. The most common is coronary
heart disease (also called
coronary artery disease). Coronary heart disease is the number one cause of death in the United States. If the arteries that supply the heart with blood, called the coronary arteries, are affected by coronary artery disease, you may have symptoms that include:
- Chest pain or chest discomfort (angina)
- Pain in one or both arms, the left shoulder, neck, jaw, or back
- Shortness of breath
- Dizziness
- Faster heartbeats
- Nausea (feeling sick to your stomach)
- Abnormal heartbeats
- Feeling very tired.
