Cardiovascular disease encompasses a range of conditions that affect your heart and
blood vessels¹ ². These diseases can affect one or many parts of your heart and/or blood vessels.
You may be symptomatic (physically experiencing the disease) or asymptomatic (not
feeling anything at all).¹

Signs and Symptoms

Cardiovascular disease symptoms can vary depending on the cause.¹

Symptoms of heart issues¹

  • Chest pain
  • Chest pressure, heaviness or discomfort
  • Shortness of breath
  • Dizziness or fainting

  • Fatigue or exhaustion

     

Symptoms of blocked blood vessels¹

  • Pain or cramps in your legs
  • Leg sores that are not healing
  • Cool or red skin on your legs
  • Swelling in both legs
  • Numbness in the face or your limbs, which may occur on one side of your body
  • Difficulty with talking, seeing and walking

Causes

The causes of cardiovascular disease can vary depending on the specific type¹. For example, atherosclerosis (plaque buildup in your arteries) causes coronary artery disease and peripheral artery disease¹. You may be more likely to develop cardiovascular disease if you have risk factors such as:

Cholesterol is a wax like fatty substance in the blood that helps the body build cells and make vitamins as well as certain hormones the body needs to function.³ Cholesterol travels through your blood on proteins called "lipoproteins"⁴. There are two types of lipoproteins which carry cholesterol throughout your body.⁴

  • LDL (low-density lipoprotein) cholesterol – which is sometimes called "bad" cholesterol. It makes up most of your body's cholesterol. High levels of LDL cholesterol raise your risk for heart disease and stroke.⁴
  • HDL (high-density lipoprotein) cholesterol – which is sometimes called "good" cholesterol. It absorbs cholesterol in the blood and carries it back to the liver. The liver then flushes it from the body. High levels of HDL cholesterol can lower your risk for heart disease and stroke.

When your body has too much LDL cholesterol, the LDL cholesterol can build up on the walls of your blood vessels. This buildup is called "plaque," and it can cause health problems, such as heart disease and stroke.⁴
There are usually no signs or symptoms that you have high cholesterol and by the time it is discovered you would have developed serious health issues such experiencing a heart attack.³

A variety of things can raise your risk of high cholesterol.³

  •  Certain health conditions, such as type 2 diabetes and obesity, can raise your risk for high cholesterol.⁵
  • Lifestyle factors, such eating a diet high in saturated and trans fats and not getting enough activity, can also raise your risk for high cholesterol.⁵
  • Some people who have a family history of high cholesterol can also be at risk for high cholesterol.⁵

High blood pressure (hypertension) can cause your heart to overwork which in turn causes the heart muscle to thicken, which could impair its ability to pump blood effectively.⁶

Some autoimmune conditions such as psoriasis increase your risk of developing cardiovascular disease.

Treatments

Treatment plans can vary depending on your symptoms and the type of cardiovascular disease you have.¹ Cardiovascular disease treatment may include:

Cutting out bad habits such as smoking, increasing your aerobic activities and eating more fruits and vegetables.

Your doctor may prescribe medicine but the medicine you receive will depend on what kind of cardiovascular condition you have.

 

If your condition gets worse and the medicine no longer addresses the issue, your doctor may consider you for certain procedures or surgeries to treat your cardiovascular disease.

 

Your doctor may recommend cardiac rehabilitation where you might need a tailor-made exercise program to monitor your heart and help it get stronger.

You may need careful monitoring over time without the medication or procedures/surgeries.

When to contact your doctor¹

Cardiovascular diseases are often manageable when detected early. That is why it is important to visit your doctor annually for routine check-ups, which can help identify and address risk factors before they become serious. However, if you have any signs of cardiovascular diseases, you should see your doctor immediately.

References:

1. Cleveland Clinic. Cardiovascular Diseases. Available at: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/21493-cardiovascular-dis…. Accessed 8 August 2025.
2. WHO. Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). Available at: https://www.who.int/news- room/fact-sheets/detail/cardiovascular-diseases-(cvds). Accessed 8 August 2025.
3. Medline Plus. Cholesterol. Available at: https://medlineplus.gov/cholesterol.html. Accessed 8 August 2025.
4. CDC. LDL and HDL cholesterol and triglycerides. Available at: https://www.cdc.gov/cholesterol/about/ldl-and-hdl-cholesterol-and- triglycerides.html?CDC_AAref_Val=https://www.cdc.gov/cholesterol/ldl_hdl.htm. Accessed 8 August 2025.
5. CDC. About cholesterol. Available at: https://www.cdc.gov/cholesterol/about/?CDC_AAref_Val=https://www.cdc.go… erol/about.htm. Accessed 8 August 2025. Accessed 8 Aug 2025.
6. Mayo Clinic. High blood pressure dangers: Hypertension’s effect on your body. Available at: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/high-blood-pressure/in- depth/high-blood-pressure/art-20045868, Accessed 8 August 2025.
7. Martinez-Moreno A, Ocampo-Candiani J, Garza-Rodriguez V. Psoriasis and Cardiovascular Disease: A Narrative Review. Korean J Fam Med 2021;42(5):345-355.

Content ID: FA-11488022. Approval date: 31 October 2025. Expiry date:31 October 2027.