Breaking Down Cardiovascular Disease: Risks And Causes Explained
06/30/2025
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is among the global causes of mortality—and it's rapidly gaining popularity in nations like India because of dietary, lifestyle, and stress-related changes. But what is cardiovascular disease, anyway? And more importantly, why does it happen?
In this blog, we'll take you through the fundamentals of cardiovascular disease, what makes you more at risk, and how it relates to daily habits such as smoking, inactivity, and poor diets. The aim is to educate you about your heart so that you can get on the right path and save it.
What Is Cardiovascular Disease?
Cardiovascular disease is a term that describes a collection of conditions that impact the heart and blood vessels. It encompasses:
- Coronary heart disease (CAD) – the most prevalent form, resulting from clogged arteries that serve the heart.
- Heart attack – when blood supply to a portion of the heart is cut off.
- Stroke – when blood supply to the brain is cut off.
- Heart failure – when the heart is unable to circulate blood efficiently.
- Arrhythmias – abnormal heartbeat.
- Peripheral artery disease – clogged arteries in the arms and legs.
These conditions may take years to develop and many times do not have any obvious warning symptoms—until something dramatic, such as a heart attack or stroke, occurs.
Why Should You Care?
Cardiovascular disease causes approximately one-third of all deaths worldwide, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). What is more disturbing is that many of these deaths can be avoided with simple changes in lifestyle.
Knowing the causes and risk factors of CVD is the initial step in the prevention of CVD.
Principal Risk Factors of Cardiovascular Disease
Let us discuss the major contributors that compromise your heart:
1. High Blood Pressure (Hypertension)
High blood pressure is sometimes referred to as the "silent killer." It places additional stress on your heart and arteries, making it more difficult for your heart to circulate blood. In time, it harms your blood vessels and raises your chances of heart attack, stroke, and heart failure.
Why it's dangerous:
- It typically has no symptoms.
- It harms arteries and saps the heart.
Prevention tips:
- Reduce salt.
- Exercise every day.
- Check your blood pressure frequently.
2. High Cholesterol
Cholesterol is a type of fat in blood. Some are good, but too much of the "bad" (LDL) builds up in arteries, causing them to become small or blocked. This results in coronary artery disease.
Good vs. Bad Cholesterol:
- HDL (good) removes bad cholesterol.
- LDL (bad) builds up plaque in arteries.
Prevention tips:
- Decreasing saturated fats (fried and processed foods).
- Consume more fiber (whole grains, vegetables, fruit).
- Being physically active.
3. Smoking and Heart Disease
Smoking is a very strong risk factor for CVD. It hurts your blood vessels, decreases oxygen in your blood, increases blood pressure, and accelerates plaque buildup in your arteries.
Key facts:
- Smokers are 2–4 times more likely to get heart disease.
- Even secondhand smoke may harm people who don't smoke.
- Within one year after quitting, your risk is much lower.
4. Obesity and Cardiovascular Disease
Being overweight, especially around the belly, increases your risk of high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and diabetes—all of which can harm your heart.
Why weight matters:
- Fat cells produce substances that raise blood pressure.
- Excess fat leads to insulin resistance.
Prevention tips:
- Watch your portion sizes.
- Swap sugary drinks for water.
- Walk 30 minutes a day.
5. Diabetes and Heart Disease
Individuals with diabetes are between two and four times more likely to develop cardiovascular disease. High blood glucose hurts blood vessels and nerves that regulate the heart.
What makes it dangerous:
- Raises artery damage and inflammation.
- Increases damaging cholesterol levels.
Controlling diabetes:
- Monitoring your blood sugar levels regularly.
- Healthy eating and exercise.
- Scheduled visits with your doctor.
6. Inactivity
Sitting around strengthens your heart muscle, reduces metabolism, and adds fat.
Why exercise is important:
- Workout makes your heart stronger.
- It lowers blood pressure and enhances cholesterol.
How much exercise is enough?
Shoot for a minimum of 150 minutes of moderate physical activity per week—such as brisk walking, dancing, cycling, or swimming.
7. Poor Diet
Your diet plays a big part in your heart's health. Diets with too much salt, sugar, and unhealthy fat lead to weight gain, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol.
Foods to limit:
- Deep-fried foods
- Sugar-sweetened soft drinks
- Too much salt (package chips, instant noodles)
Heart-healthy swaps:
- Fresh fruits and vegetables
- Whole grains such as oats and brown rice
- Nuts and seeds
- Olive oil or mustard oil for cooking
8. Too Much Alcohol
Too much alcohol consumption can increase your blood pressure, lead to weight gain, and put you at risk of heart failure.
9. Stress and Mental Health
Ever-present stress, worry, or depression can drive up cortisol levels, increase blood pressure, and cause unhealthy behaviors such as overeating, smoking, or drinking.
Dealing with stress:
- Take up yoga, meditation, or mindfulness.
- Get enough sleep.
- Speak to a friend or counselor when feeling overwhelmed.
Less Common But Real Risk Factors
Although lifestyle contributes immensely, there are other factors that contribute to cardiovascular disease:
1. Genetics and Family History
If your parents or siblings had heart disease, your risk of getting it is greater. But genetics isn't destiny—you can still control your risk.
2. Age and Gender
- Men who are 45 or older and women who are 55 or older are more at risk.
- Women tend to develop heart disease later than men but often with worse results.
3. Sleep Disorders
Sleep disorders such as sleep apnea—in which breathing is interrupted during sleep—can raise blood pressure and strain the heart.
How to Know If You're at Risk?
You won't always have symptoms early on. That's why regular checkups are so important.
The main tests are:
- Blood Pressure Test
- Cholesterol Profile
- Blood Sugar (Fasting & HbA1c)
- ECG or TMT if recommended by physician
Warning Signs of Heart Disease
Certain symptoms can indicate your heart could use some help:
- Chest pain or pressure
- Shortness of breath
- Fatigue without a cause
- Swelling of feet or ankles
- Irregular heartbeat
If you have noticed any of these, don't wait—see a cardiologist.
When to Visit Your Doctor?
You should visit a doctor if:
- You have a family history of cardiovascular disease
- You get chest pain or palpitations
- You’re overweight or have high BP or diabetes
- You want to assess your heart health proactively
Early detection and treatment can prevent life-threatening outcomes.
Conclusion
Cardiovascular disease may be common, but it’s not inevitable. By understanding the risk factors—like high blood pressure, cholesterol, smoking, obesity, and lack of exercise—you can take control of your heart’s health.
It's not about wholesale lifestyle transformations. Begin with tiny, achievable steps. Make one healthy meal per day. Take the stairs instead of the elevator. Go to bed an hour sooner. Drop one bad habit.