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Heart & Vascular Disease: The Risks

Cardiovascular disease refers to disorders in your heart or any of your blood vessels, including:

• Aneurysms
• Arrhythmia
• Arterial Blockages
• Congenital Heart Disease
• Coronary Artery Disease
• Carotid Artery Disease
• Heart Failure
• Heart Transplant
• Pulmonary Hypertension
• Stroke

Some cardiovascular diseases, like heart valve defects, congenital heart disease and aortic aneurysms, do not have risk factors. However, many cardiovascular disorders are acquired.

Heart and vascular risk factors include:

• High blood pressure
• High cholesterol
• Diabetes
• Smoking
• Family history

You cannot change your family history or your genetics. But, you can help guard against many of these risk factors by:

• Not smoking
• Eating a low-fat diet
• Exercising regularly
• Maintaining a healthy weight
• Talking to your doctor about your questions and concerns

Comprehensive treatment also is available at the UCSF Heart and Vascular Center, which brings together cardiologists, cardiac surgeons, vascular surgeons, interventional radiologists and other specialists to provide the most advanced and effective treatments, many of them developed right here at UCSF Medical Center.

• UCSF Heart and Vascular Center
• Coronary Artery Disease
• Heart Failure
• More Patient Education Materials

Reviewed by health care specialists at UCSF Medical Center.
Last updated May 8, 2007

This information is for educational purposes only and is not intended to replace the advice of your doctor or health care provider. We encourage you to discuss with your doctor any questions or concerns you may have.