Stroke Research & Therapy

Cardiovascular Disease (CVD) includes a number of conditions affecting the structures or function of the heart or blood vessels. CVDs are a group of disorders of the heart and blood vessels. Cardiovascular disease generally refers to conditions that involve narrowed or blocked blood vessels that can lead to a heart attack, chest pain (angina) or stroke. There are four main types of CVD: Coronary heart disease, Stroke, Peripheral arterial disease, Aortic disease. Heart attacks and strokes are usually acute events and are mainly caused by a blockage that prevents blood from flowing to the heart or brain. The risk factors for CVD include high blood pressure, smoking, high blood cholesterol, diabetes, lack of exercise, being obese, family history of heart disease and ethnic background.