Cardiovascular disease
Cardiovascular disease is the overall name for all diseases concerning the heart and blood vessels. The most common kinds are the coronary heart disease (heart attacks), causing 801,000 annual deaths in the U.S. and cerebrovascular disease (stroke) causing 795,000 annual deaths. 80 % of these is brought on by behavioral risk factors and could potentially be prevented by ourselves.
I have a cardiovascular disease
Being diagnosed with cardiovascular disease is often a life changing event. Stroke and heart attack especially comes very suddenly and are very dangerous. Surviving the event is often seen as a « wake-up call » and can change our lives drastically. First of all there is the psychological aspect, dealing with the stress and shock of the event and worrying about the future. Second, there are many precautions to take and changes to make in order to manage your disease. This may involve medication, exercise, diet or even surgery.
Because of the potential severity, cardiovascular disease affects not only the patient, but the entire family and it is normal to seek support from others who know what it is like to get that wake-up call and feeling the anxiety of almost losing a loved one.
Source: Center for Disease Control
Published Dec 17, 2017
