OVERVIEW

What are cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases?

Cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases encompass both cardiovascular diseases and cerebrovascular diseases. They are a common and serious threat to human health, particularly among middle-aged and elderly individuals over 50 years old, characterized by high prevalence, high disability rates, and high mortality.

What diseases are included in cardiovascular diseases?

Cardiovascular diseases refer to conditions caused by heart and blood vessel disorders, including coronary heart disease, hypertension, hypertensive heart disease, pulmonary heart disease, rheumatic heart disease, congenital heart disease, heart failure, and cardiomyopathy.

What diseases are included in cerebrovascular diseases?

Generally, cerebrovascular diseases consist of ischemic cerebrovascular diseases and hemorrhagic cerebrovascular diseases.

• Ischemic cerebrovascular diseases: These are neurological dysfunctions caused by insufficient blood supply to the brain, including:

• Transient ischemic attack (TIA): A temporary neurological dysfunction caused by localized brain or retinal ischemia.

• Cerebral infarction (also known as stroke): A persistent neurological dysfunction caused by continuous vascular occlusion due to cerebral thrombosis or embolism. If not treated promptly, this dysfunction may become permanent.

• Hemorrhagic cerebrovascular diseases: These are neurological dysfunctions caused by ruptured blood vessels and bleeding in the brain, including:

• Cerebral hemorrhage: Refers to bleeding caused by ruptured blood vessels in the brain, often due to hypertension, cerebral arteriosclerosis, tumors, etc.

• Subarachnoid hemorrhage: Occurs when blood vessels on the surface or base of the brain rupture, leading to direct bleeding into the subarachnoid space. Common causes include aneurysm rupture, vascular malformations, hypertension, arteriosclerosis, and blood disorders.

Which groups are more prone to cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases?

Individuals with the following conditions are at higher risk: hypertension, hyperlipidemia, diabetes, smoking, long-term heavy alcohol consumption, overweight/obesity, and lack of exercise.

What are the dangers of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases?

According to the 2017 "China Cardiovascular Disease Report," approximately 290 million people in China suffer from cardiovascular diseases, including 13 million stroke patients, 11 million coronary heart disease patients, 5 million pulmonary heart disease patients, 4.5 million heart failure patients, 2.5 million rheumatic heart disease patients, 2 million congenital heart disease patients, and 270 million hypertension patients.

Cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases are the leading cause of death globally, claiming 15 million lives annually—more than cancer and other diseases. In China alone, nearly 3 million people die from these diseases each year, accounting for 51% of total deaths. Among survivors, about 75% experience varying degrees of lost work capacity, and 40% suffer severe disabilities.

SYMPTOMS

What are the common clinical manifestations of cardiovascular diseases?

Clinical manifestations vary depending on the type of disease, but common symptoms include: palpitations, shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, chest pain, chest discomfort, edema, cyanosis, syncope, cough with hemoptysis, etc.

What are the common clinical manifestations of cerebrovascular diseases?

Clinical manifestations vary depending on the type of disease, but common symptoms include: paralysis, muscle numbness, headache, slurred speech, impaired consciousness, visual disturbances, nausea and vomiting, etc.

CAUSES

What are the risk factors for cardiovascular disease?

• Age;
• Nutrient deficiencies, such as antioxidants; lack of exercise;
• Diabetes, hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, and abnormal lipoprotein profiles;
• Smoking, secondhand smoke, air pollution, and noise;
• Elevated blood concentrations of fibrinogen and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1;
• Increased blood levels of asymmetric dimethylarginine;
• Obesity, particularly abdominal or male-pattern obesity; aside from its association with diabetes, this type of obesity independently raises cardiovascular disease risk by promoting inflammation and blood clotting.
• Genetic factors or family history of cardiovascular disease;
• Depression;
• Gender: While men have a higher likelihood of developing cardiovascular disease than women, it remains the leading health issue for women in industrialized nations. Post-menopause, women's risk may surpass that of men.

DIAGNOSIS

Which department should I see for cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases?

If cardiovascular disease is suspected, it is recommended to visit the cardiology department; if cerebrovascular disease is suspected, it is advised to consult the neurology department.

What tests are needed for cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases?

Tests should be targeted. Possible examinations include cardiovascular and cerebrovascular angiography, head and neck CT or MRI, cardiac ultrasound, electrocardiogram, etc.

TREATMENT

How should cardiovascular diseases be treated?

The treatment of cardiovascular diseases requires analyzing each patient's symptoms, and improving lifestyle can also play a preventive and therapeutic role. Medications such as antihypertensive drugs, aspirin, and cholesterol-lowering drugs like statins can all aid in treatment. In some cases, coronary artery bypass surgery or angioplasty may be necessary to reopen, repair, or replace damaged blood vessels.

DIET & LIFESTYLE

What should patients with cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases pay attention to in daily life?

• Quit smoking: Extensive research shows that both active and passive smoking are significantly positively correlated with the risk of cardiovascular disease incidence and mortality. Evidence indicates that those who quit smoking have a significantly lower risk of cardiovascular disease and death compared to persistent smokers. Importantly, quitting at any time is beneficial—the earlier, the greater the benefits.

• Control sodium intake: Studies have found that dietary sodium intake is linked to cardiovascular disease mortality and disease burden. Randomized controlled trials show that reducing sodium intake can lower blood pressure. Hypertension is the most significant preventable and controllable risk factor for cardiovascular disease, and maintaining healthy blood pressure levels long-term can effectively prevent its occurrence. The average sodium intake among Chinese populations is generally high (10.5 g/day), especially in northern regions, far exceeding the WHO recommendation (5 g/day) or the Chinese Nutrition Society's guideline (6 g/day). Therefore, salt reduction measures should be implemented, such as using less salt in cooking, choosing low-sodium foods, and minimizing or avoiding high-salt foods.

• Quit alcohol: Globally, up to 3 million deaths from cardiovascular diseases each year are attributed to long-term excessive or occasional heavy drinking. Excessive alcohol consumption is a major risk factor for over 200 health issues. Long-term light drinking does not prevent ischemic heart disease or ischemic stroke. Alcohol intake is closely related to hypertension, atrial fibrillation, and stroke. Thus, quitting alcohol is essential for preventing cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases. Individuals with hypertension, liver or kidney dysfunction, atrial fibrillation, pregnant women, and adolescents should avoid alcohol entirely, as long-term excessive or occasional heavy drinking severely harms health.

• Exercise: Physical inactivity is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and certain cancers. Moderate aerobic exercise can reduce resting blood pressure, improve cardiopulmonary function, and relieve stress. The type of exercise can be chosen based on personal preference, environment, and conditions, but intensity should align with individual health. Low-intensity activities like jogging, brisk walking, or dancing are effective. Research shows that moderate-to-low-intensity exercise is more effective than high-intensity exercise in controlling blood pressure and improving cardiopulmonary function. Exercising for 30 minutes daily, at least 3–5 times a week, significantly enhances cardiovascular health—consistency is key. For busy young adults, even two high-intensity workouts per week reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases compared to no exercise.

• Weight control: A body mass index (BMI = weight in kg / height in m²) ≥ 30 kg/m² (normal range: 18.5–24.99) is a clear risk factor for cardiovascular disease and premature death. Balanced exercise and diet help manage weight. Daily caloric intake should match energy expenditure to maintain a healthy weight.

• Balanced diet: Beyond controlling total caloric intake and reducing salt and alcohol, increase the proportion of unrefined grains (rich in fiber, vitamins, and minerals), reduce total and saturated fats, and boost vegetable and fruit consumption. Currently, the Chinese population consumes excessive fats and insufficient whole grains, fruits, and vegetables. Daily recommendations include: 300 g of dairy, 300–500 g of vegetables, 200–350 g of fruit, 120–200 g of poultry/eggs, and 250–400 g of grains/tubers. A balanced diet increases fiber, vitamins, and potassium intake while improving lipid levels and cardiovascular health.

PREVENTION

How to Prevent Cardiovascular and Cerebrovascular Diseases?

The prevention of cardiovascular diseases mainly involves intervention measures for people who have not yet developed cardiovascular or cerebrovascular diseases. These interventions typically refer to changing unhealthy lifestyle habits, specifically including:

1. Quit smoking and drinking.
2. Maintain a balanced diet, reduce sodium intake—recommended daily salt consumption is 5g, roughly the amount of one beer bottle cap. Avoid high-fat foods such as fried foods.
3. Engage in moderate exercise. If time and energy permit, exercise 2–3 times a week, about half an hour each time.
4. Follow a regular schedule and ensure adequate sleep. Adults are advised to sleep 7–8 hours per day.
5. Control weight, especially for overweight or obese individuals. Maintain weight within a reasonable range. Generally, a healthy adult's body mass index (BMI = weight / height²) should be below 23.9 kg/m².