types of cardiovascular disease - #16497
I am really worried about my health lately. My dad had a heart attack a few years back, and now I'm starting to feel some weird chest pains and shortness of breath, like, almost every day. I went to the doctor, and they mentioned something about the types of cardiovascular disease and suggested I should get some tests done. I just don't understand, like, how does that work? Are there many different types of cardiovascular disease? I mean, I always thought it was just "heart problems" but now there’s talk about heart disease, stroke, hypertension, and others that sound super scary. I'm trying to connect the dots here, but honestly, all this talk about types of cardiovascular disease has me more confused. Could my symptoms be linked to different types of cardiovascular disease, or am I just overthinking? My friend said she had a family member who ignored symptoms and ended up in big trouble, so I'm freaking out a little. Should I be pushing for more tests? Or maybe ask about prevention for these types of cardiovascular disease? Like what can I do to protect myself? I don’t have any history of this stuff, except for my dad, but still, I can’t shake the feeling that I might be at risk. Any insights would really help!
100% Anonymously
No sign-up needed.

Doctors’ responses
Yes, your concern is understandable because cardiovascular disease encompasses a broad range of conditions affecting the heart and blood vessels. It’s not just “heart problems” as many people commonly think. Here’s a quick rundown: Coronary artery disease (CAD) involves the narrowing or blockage of the coronary arteries, often leading to heart attacks. Hypertension or high blood pressure, is another major type, which increases the workload on your heart, leading to various complications if unmanaged. Heart failure means the heart doesn’t pump blood as well as it should, and while it can follow other types of cardiovascular disease, it’s a distinct condition on its own. Arrhythmias refer to irregular heartbeats, which might be harmless but can sometimes indicate a more serious issue. Additionally, there are conditions like valvular heart disease and peripheral artery disease (PAD), which affect blood flow in different parts of the body. Your symptoms like chest pain and shortness of breath can indeed be linked to several of these conditions—it’s good that you’re seeing a doctor because they’ll likely recommend tests like an EKG, stress testing, or perhaps imaging like an echocardiogram, to determine the specific cause. Given your family history and your symptoms, follow up with your healthcare provider about these tests. Prevention plays a crucial role, too, and involves lifestyle changes such as eating a heart-healthy diet, regular exercise, maintaining a healthy weight, and quitting smoking if applicable. Because of your dad’s history and your experiences, monitoring your risk factors, like blood pressure and cholesterol levels, is wise. Remember, early detection and management can significantly improve outcomes, so don’t shy away from those preventive measures and discussions with your doctor.
100% Anonymously
Get expert answers anytime, completely confidential. No sign-up needed.
About our doctors
Only qualified doctors who have confirmed the availability of medical education and other certificates of medical practice consult on our service. You can check the qualification confirmation in the doctor's profile.