What you should know about cardiovascular disease:

Cardiovascular disease is one of the most important causes of disability and premature death worldwide. Controlling risk factors can reduce cardiovascular events and death.

What organs are affected?

• Heart: Blood flow decreases or stops to a part of the heart long enough for that part to be damaged or die. The medical term used is myocardial infarction.
• Brain: Blood flow stops to a part of the brain, causing bleeding or ischemia. The medical term used is cerebrovascular accident (CVA).
• Kidney: Blood flow decrease can cause acute or chronic kidney failure.
• Blood vessels: Blood flow decrease in the legs can cause ischemia or in severe cases, even amputation.

What risk factors increase the probability of having a cardiovascular disease?

• Age: Men over 45 and women over 55.
• Smoking.
• High cholesterol and/or triglycerides.
• Diabetes.
• High blood pressure.
• Overweight or obese.
• Excess alcohol.
• Not exercising.
• Not consuming fruits or vegetables daily.
• Relatives with cardiovascular disease.

Recommendations to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease:

• Eat fruits and vegetables daily.
• Do physical activity, at least walking 30 minutes daily.
• Stop smoking.
• Avoid excess alcohol.
• Control your weight.
• Attend regular check-ups for blood pressure, lipids, and glycemia.