Understanding Cardiovascular Disease: A Glossary

The heart is a muscular organ that is responsible for pumping blood.

Your heart rate is the number of times your heart beats in one minute. A resting heart rate, or the number of times your heart beats when you are not physically active, can differ from person to person. You might also hear this referred to as a pulse.

Many smartwatches automatically track heart rate. To calculate your heart rate at home, you can feel the pulse in your neck or wrist and count how many times the heart beats in 15 seconds, then multiply it by 4.

Your heart rhythm is the pattern of your heart beats. Heart rhythm is controlled by electrical signals within the body. These can tell your heart to beat faster, slower or even out of control.

If your heart rhythm is irregular, you might be told you have an arrhythmia.

Heart health is a general term used to reference the overall well-being of your heart. You can support heart health by managing risk factors, exercising and eating a healthy diet. All of these aspects reduce your risk of developing heart disease.

Cardiovascular disease is the umbrella term for any condition that affects the heart or blood vessels. You might hear this used interchangeably with heart disease, which is partly right: All heart disease is cardiovascular disease, but not all cardiovascular disease is heart disease.

In addition to heart-specific ailments, cardiovascular disease includes conditions like stroke and peripheral artery disease (PAD), which occurs when circulation in the legs is reduced due to narrowing of the blood vessels.

Heart disease is any condition that affects the heart’s ability to function or causes changes to the heart’s structure.

• Heart failure – The heart muscle is weaker than usual and unable to pump blood like it should. This can occur because of natural aging changes, valve disease, damage to the heart and other conditions.
• Heart valve disease – One or more of the four “doorways” in the heart, which are responsible for controlling the direction of blood flow, are damaged. When this happens, the valves can either have trouble letting blood through (stenosis) or difficulty keeping blood moving forward instead of backward (regurgitation).
• Coronary artery disease – Coronary artery disease and heart disease are often used interchangeably, and for good reason: It’s the most common form of heart disease in the US. CAD occurs when plaque deposits develop in the heart arteries, interrupting blood flow to the heart.

If you’ve ever heard of someone having “clogged arteries,” you’re already familiar with coronary artery disease. This prevalent condition is caused by a build of plaque deposits in the blood vessels, making it difficult for the body to return ever-important, oxygen-rich blood to the heart. When the blockage is severe, a heart attack can occur.

Typically, plaque is sticky combination of cholesterol, calcium and fat. You might be at a higher risk for CAD and blood clots if you have high cholesterol, diabetes or smoke tobacco.

A heart attack may also be called a myocardial infarction or MI. A heart attack occurs when blood flow to part of the heart is blocked, depriving the muscle of oxygen and causing varying degrees of damage. If blood flow is not restored quickly, the heart muscle can begin to die.

Cardiac arrest occurs when the heart suddenly and unexpectedly stops beating. When there is no pulse, there is no blood flow to the rest of the body, including vital organs like the heart, brain and kidneys.

If you witness someone collapse and stop breathing normally, call 911 and begin CPR by pushing hard and fast in the center of the chest. Use an AED if one is available.

It’s important to note that a heart attack and cardiac arrest are not the same. While a heart attack is related to the “plumbing” of the heart (a blockage in an artery), cardiac arrest is considered an “electrical” problem.

Stroke is an example of a cardiovascular disease that is not specific to the heart. A stroke occurs when blood flow to the brain is blocked, depriving it of oxygen and nutrients. When this happens, brain cells can begin to die within minutes, which can lead to disability and even death.

A stroke may also be called a cerebrovascular event or an ischemic attack.

Blood pressure is the force of blood pushing against the walls of the arteries as your heart pumps. Systolic, the first number, indicates the pressure when blood is pumped out of the heart. Diastolic, the second number, refers to the pressure between heartbeats when the heart is filling with blood.

Normal blood pressure is generally regarded as 120/80 mm/Hg. You are considered to have high blood pressure, or hypertension, when blood pressure is consistently 130/80 or higher.

High blood pressure can damage the arteries, making it easier for them to collect plaque or disrupt blood flow, which can lead to heart attack and stroke.

• Preeclampsia – Preeclampsia is a type of hypertension that occurs only during pregnancy, usually after the 20th week of gestation. This condition can be very serious and should be monitored and managed closely.
• At-home blood pressure monitor – You can purchase a blood pressure monitor to track your readings at home. A device with a cuff for the upper arm is recommended, but devices worn on the wrist are also available for purchase. You should check you blood pressure around the same time each day, and avoid nicotine, exercise, caffeine and alcohol before readings.

The following can help you get the most accurate results:

• • Sit up straight with your feet flat on the floor and your back supported.
  • Rest. With uncrossed legs, sit quietly for at least five minutes and allow your body to relax. Don’t talk or fidget.
  • When it’s time, place the blood pressure cuff on your bare arm, not over your clothes. Rest your extended arm in front of you at heart level.
  • Once you take your first measurement, log it. If you have time, wait a few minutes and check it again.

Cholesterol is a waxy substance that occurs naturally in your body. When it’s present in healthy amounts, it’s important for building cells, making vitamin D, supporting your metabolism and much more. When it occurs in unhealthy amounts, it can lead to coronary artery disease.

While our bodies are capable of producing the cholesterol we need to survive, modern-day diets are full of ingredients like saturated fats and sugar that lead to an overproduction of the substance. Unfortunately, you might often hear this referred to as the “bad” kind of cholesterol. On the bright side, making the right diet choices can not only control your total cholesterol, but also boost “good” cholesterol while lowering levels of fat in your blood.

• LDL (low-density lipoprotein) cholesterol – The “bad” kind of cholesterol because it can build in the arteries, causing them to narrow and become blocked. This value is raised by foods like red meats, butter, full-fat dairy, fried foods and sweets – because they are not part of a heart-healthy diet, these foods should be consumed sparingly and in moderation.
• HDL (high-density lipoprotein) cholesterol – The “good” kind of cholesterol because it collects excess cholesterol in the blood and carries it to the liver, where the body can dispose of it. Higher levels of HDL can actually lower your risk of heart disease. You can raise your HDL by consuming healthy fats and omega-3 fatty acids, like those found in fish, nuts, olive oil and avocados.
• Triglycerides – This is a type of lipid, or fat, found in your blood. Much like “bad” cholesterol, high triglycerides can contribute to “clogging” your arteries with plaque. Generally, lower levels of triglycerides are considered better than high levels.

To raise your HDL (good cholesterol) and lower your LDL (bad cholesterol) and triglycerides, combine a healthy diet with physical activity.

Diabetes is a disease that occurs when there is too much glucose, or sugar, in the blood. This condition can significantly increase your risk for cardiovascular disease because it can damage the blood vessels and nerves that are necessary for maintaining heart health.

• Type 1 diabetes – This form of diabetes often has a genetic component or may be considered idiopathic (having no known cause). Type 1 diabetes can appear suddenly and without warning. It is not attributed to lifestyle choices and has been diagnosed in very young children.
• Type 2 diabetes – While having a family history of diabetes increases your risk for developing type 2 diabetes, this form is also associated with lifestyle choices, including diets high in carbohydrates and fat, lack of physical activity and chronic stress. Certain medications may also increase your risk for developing type 2 diabetes.
• Prediabetes – You might be told you have prediabetes if your glucose is higher than normal, but not high enough for an official diagnosis. Prediabetes can develop into type 2 diabetes.
• Gestational diabetes – This type of diabetes only develops during pregnancy due to changes in hormones. While gestational diabetes typically resolves after giving birth, you may be at an increased risk for developing type 2 diabetes in the future.

If you have been diagnosed with diabetes, work with your doctor and care team to manage glucose through the use of medications, monitoring and balanced diet choices. To reduce your risk of heart disease, pay special attention to your ABCs:

• A1C – This level measures the average amount of glucose in your blood over the past several months; higher levels can mean blood sugar is not well controlled
• Blood pressure
• Cholesterol
• Stop smoking

Being overweight can increase your risk of developing high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes. It also increases your risk for disorders like sleep apnea, which can place additional strain on the heart.

There is no one “magic number” to aim for on the scale, and even measurements like BMI can’t fully account for the differences in how people are built, how much muscle we have or how we carry our weight. Instead of weight, use waist size as your guide post for fitness goals.

Excess abdominal or belly fat can increase your risk of heart disease, even if you are not generally considered overweight. You might have excess belly fat if your waist measures:

• Men – 40 inches or more
• Women – 35 inches or more
• To measure your waist, use a flexible measuring tape around the smallest part of your abdomen. The tape should be positioned slightly above your belly button, between the bottom of your ribs and the top of your hips. Be sure to pull the tape tight (but do not let it dig into your skin) and breathe naturally.

As always, your health should be your first priority in weight loss and fitness goals. Be sure to eat a balanced and nutritious diet to fuel your body, and consider consulting your healthcare provider before beginning an exercise regimen.