Cardiovascular Disease
What is Cardiovascular Disease?
Cardiovascular disease is a group of conditions that affect your heart and blood vessels. These conditions include coronary artery disease, heart attack, stroke, heart failure, and irregular heart rhythms. When your blood vessels become narrow or blocked, your heart struggles to get enough oxygen and nutrients.
This disease develops over many years as plaque builds up inside your arteries. Plaque is made of cholesterol, fat, calcium, and other substances found in your blood. As plaque accumulates, your arteries become stiff and narrow. This process is called atherosclerosis.
Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death worldwide, but it is largely preventable. Many people live with cardiovascular disease without knowing it because symptoms develop slowly. Early detection through blood testing helps you identify risk factors before serious problems occur.
Symptoms
- Chest pain or pressure, especially during physical activity
- Shortness of breath during normal activities or rest
- Pain, numbness, or weakness in your arms or legs
- Pain in your neck, jaw, throat, or upper abdomen
- Rapid or irregular heartbeat
- Dizziness or lightheadedness
- Fatigue that does not improve with rest
- Swelling in your legs, ankles, or feet
Many people have no symptoms in the early stages of cardiovascular disease. Your blood vessels can be damaged for years before you notice any problems. This is why regular blood testing is important for catching risk factors early.
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Causes and risk factors
Cardiovascular disease develops when damage occurs to the inner lining of your arteries. High blood pressure, high cholesterol, smoking, and high blood sugar all damage blood vessel walls. Once damaged, plaque starts to build up in these areas. Inflammation in your body speeds up this process. Lifestyle factors like poor diet, lack of exercise, excess weight, and chronic stress contribute to disease development.
Your risk increases with age, family history, and certain genetic factors like ApoE genotype. Men face higher risk at younger ages, while women's risk increases after menopause. Exposure to environmental toxins like cadmium also raises risk. Conditions like diabetes, kidney disease, and sleep apnea further increase your chances of developing cardiovascular disease.
How it's diagnosed
Cardiovascular disease is diagnosed through a combination of blood tests, physical examination, and imaging studies. Blood tests measure cholesterol levels, inflammation markers, and other substances that indicate heart disease risk. Tests like HDL cholesterol, LDL particle number, apolipoprotein B/A1 ratio, and lipoprotein(a) show how fats move through your blood. Inflammation markers like hs-CRP and fibrinogen activity reveal ongoing damage to blood vessels.
Rite Aid testing includes over 200 biomarkers that detect cardiovascular disease risk factors. Our panel measures advanced markers like TMAO, homocysteine, ADMA, and omega-3 fatty acids that standard testing often misses. We also test for nutrient levels like coenzyme Q10 and vitamin E that support heart health. Regular testing helps you catch problems early and track your progress over time.
Treatment options
- Follow a Mediterranean-style diet rich in vegetables, fruits, whole grains, fish, and healthy fats
- Exercise for at least 150 minutes per week with a mix of cardio and strength training
- Quit smoking and avoid secondhand smoke exposure
- Maintain a healthy weight through balanced nutrition and regular movement
- Manage stress through meditation, yoga, deep breathing, or counseling
- Limit alcohol to no more than 1 drink per day for women, 2 for men
- Take prescribed medications like statins to lower cholesterol when needed
- Use blood pressure medications if lifestyle changes are not enough
- Consider aspirin therapy if your doctor recommends it based on your risk level
- Take omega-3 supplements to reduce inflammation and support heart health
- Work with a cardiologist for specialized care and treatment planning
Concerned about Cardiovascular Disease? Get tested at Rite Aid.
- Simple blood draw at your nearest lab
- Results in days, not weeks
- Share results with your doctor
Frequently asked questions
Cardiovascular disease is a broader term that includes all conditions affecting the heart and blood vessels throughout your body. Heart disease refers specifically to conditions affecting the heart itself, like coronary artery disease. Cardiovascular disease also includes stroke, peripheral artery disease, and blood vessel problems in other organs. Both terms are often used interchangeably in everyday conversation.
Early-stage cardiovascular disease can often be reversed through aggressive lifestyle changes. Studies show that plant-based diets, regular exercise, stress management, and smoking cessation can reduce plaque buildup. However, advanced disease with severe blockages may require medications or procedures. The earlier you catch and address risk factors, the better your chances of reversing damage.
Adults over 20 should get cardiovascular screening at least every 4 to 6 years if they have normal risk. If you have risk factors like high cholesterol, high blood pressure, diabetes, or family history, test annually. After starting treatment or making lifestyle changes, test every 3 to 6 months to track progress. Your doctor may recommend more frequent testing based on your individual situation.
LDL cholesterol above 100 mg/dL indicates increased risk, with levels above 160 mg/dL considered high risk. HDL cholesterol below 40 mg/dL for men or 50 mg/dL for women raises risk. Total cholesterol above 200 mg/dL warrants attention. Advanced markers like LDL particle number, apolipoprotein B/A1 ratio, and lipoprotein(a) provide even more accurate risk assessment than standard cholesterol tests alone.
Inflammation damages the inner lining of your arteries and accelerates plaque formation. High-sensitivity C-reactive protein, or hs-CRP, measures inflammation levels in your body. Elevated hs-CRP above 3 mg/L indicates high cardiovascular risk even when cholesterol levels look normal. Reducing inflammation through diet, exercise, stress management, and sometimes medications protects your heart and blood vessels.
Yes, up to 50% of heart attacks occur in people with normal cholesterol levels. This is why advanced testing matters. Markers like TMAO, homocysteine, fibrinogen activity, and ADMA reveal hidden risks that standard cholesterol tests miss. Inflammation, oxidative stress, clotting factors, and blood vessel function all contribute to disease risk beyond cholesterol alone.
Diet is one of the most powerful tools for preventing and reversing cardiovascular disease. Diets high in vegetables, fruits, whole grains, fish, nuts, and olive oil reduce inflammation and improve blood vessel function. Processed foods, added sugars, and trans fats damage blood vessels and increase plaque buildup. Even small dietary improvements like eating more fiber and omega-3 fatty acids can significantly lower your risk.
TMAO, or trimethylamine N-oxide, is a compound produced when gut bacteria break down certain nutrients from red meat, eggs, and dairy. High TMAO levels increase your risk of heart attack and stroke by promoting plaque formation and blood clots. Testing TMAO helps identify whether your gut bacteria are producing harmful compounds. Reducing animal products and increasing plant foods can lower TMAO levels.
Aspirin therapy depends on your individual risk factors and should be discussed with your doctor. For people who have already had a heart attack or stroke, aspirin helps prevent another event. For primary prevention in healthy people, aspirin benefits may not outweigh bleeding risks. AspirinWorks testing measures whether aspirin is actually working in your body, since some people are aspirin-resistant.
Chronic stress raises blood pressure, increases inflammation, and promotes unhealthy behaviors like poor eating and lack of exercise. Stress hormones like cortisol damage blood vessel walls and accelerate plaque buildup. People with high stress levels have up to double the risk of heart disease compared to those with low stress. Managing stress through regular relaxation practices, adequate sleep, and social connection protects your heart.