Community Health Administration Cardiovascular Health Program (CVD) Frequently Asked Questions What is Cardiovascular Disease? What are the risk factors for CVD? What are some types of heart disease? What are the heart attack warning signs? What are stroke warning signs?  What is Cardiovascular Disease? Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is not a disease, but a number of diseases involving the heart or the circulatory system.  Heart disease and stroke are the two most common cardiovascular diseases in adults.  It is recognized as the major cause of death for District residents and the United States, with heart disease and stroke ranking as the first and third leading causes of death for much of the century.  Certain forms of CVD may lie undetected for years before symptoms appear. What are the Risk Factors for CVD? Factors that are likely to increase the incidence, prevalence, morbidity, or mortality of a disease are called risk factors. While some risk factors for CVD cannot be changed, most risk factors for CVD are modifiable, such as high cholesterol levels, being overweight or obese, physical inactivity, tobacco use, diabetes and hypertension. Chronic diseases develop over a lifetime as a result of physical abnormalities induced by such factors as genetics, age, gender, lifestyle, and environment. Having a healthier lifestyle can play a major role in decreasing disability and death from heart attacks and strokes.  The following are recommended: Do not smoke Exercise regularly Take your medicine as directed Get your blood pressure checked regularly, and control it if it is high Improve your eating habits Maintain a healthy weight Decrease your stress level Seek emotional support when needed Have regular medical checkups What are some types of heart disease? Coronary Heart Disease Hypertension Congestive Heart Failure Congenital Birth Defects Rheumatic Heart Disease What are the heart attack warning signs? Uncomfortable pressure, fullness, squeezing or pain in the center of the chest lasting more than a few minutes Pain spreading to the shoulders neck or left arm Chest discomfort with lightheadedness, fainting, sweating, nausea or shortness of breath Less-common warning signs of heart attack are: A typical chest pain, stomach, or abdominal pain Nausea or dizziness Shortness of breath and difficulty breathing Unexplained anxiety, weakness or fatigue Palpitations, cold sweat or paleness What are stroke warning signs? Sudden confusion, trouble speaking or understanding Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination Sudden, severe headache with no obvious cause