Cardiovascular Disease (Coronary Artery Disease, Atherosclerosis)
What is Cardiovascular Disease (Coronary Artery Disease, Atherosclerosis)?
Cardiovascular disease refers to conditions that affect your heart and blood vessels. The most common type is coronary artery disease, which happens when the arteries that supply blood to your heart become narrowed or blocked. Atherosclerosis is the buildup of fatty deposits called plaques inside your artery walls. These plaques contain cholesterol, inflammatory cells, and other substances that stick to the vessel walls over time.
When plaques build up, they make your arteries stiff and narrow. This reduces blood flow to your heart muscle. Your heart needs oxygen-rich blood to work properly. When it doesn't get enough, you may experience chest pain or have a heart attack. Atherosclerosis can also affect arteries throughout your body, not just those near your heart.
Cardiovascular disease develops slowly over many years. It often has no symptoms in the early stages. This makes regular testing important for catching problems before they become serious. Many of the risk factors for heart disease can be identified and managed through lifestyle changes and proper monitoring.
Symptoms
- Chest pain or discomfort, especially during physical activity or stress
- Shortness of breath with exertion or at rest
- Pain, numbness, or weakness in your arms or legs
- Pain in your neck, jaw, throat, upper belly, or back
- Fatigue that interferes with daily activities
- Rapid or irregular heartbeat
- Dizziness or lightheadedness
- Swelling in your feet, ankles, or legs
Many people with early cardiovascular disease have no symptoms at all. The first sign can sometimes be a heart attack or stroke. This is why monitoring your risk factors through blood testing is so important for prevention.
Concerned about Cardiovascular Disease (Coronary Artery Disease, Atherosclerosis)? Check your levels.
Screen for 1,200+ health conditions
Causes and risk factors
Cardiovascular disease develops when the inner walls of your arteries become damaged. This damage triggers inflammation and allows cholesterol and other substances to accumulate. Risk factors include high blood pressure, high cholesterol, smoking, diabetes, obesity, and physical inactivity. Family history also plays a role, as heart disease tends to run in families. Age increases your risk, with men over 45 and women over 55 facing higher chances of developing the condition.
Inflammation is a key driver of atherosclerosis. Your diet directly affects inflammation levels in your body. A high ratio of omega-6 to omega-3 fatty acids promotes inflammation and increases cardiovascular risk. Modern diets often contain too much omega-6 from vegetable oils and processed foods. Chronic stress, poor sleep, and environmental toxins can also contribute to arterial damage and plaque formation over time.
How it's diagnosed
Cardiovascular disease is diagnosed through a combination of medical history, physical examination, and testing. Your doctor will ask about your symptoms, family history, and risk factors. Blood tests can identify markers of inflammation and measure the balance of fatty acids in your body. The omega-6 to omega-3 ratio is an important indicator of cardiovascular risk and inflammation levels. Rite Aid offers testing that includes omega-6/omega-3 ratio measurement to help you monitor your heart health risk factors.
Additional tests may include an electrocardiogram to check your heart rhythm, stress tests to see how your heart responds to exertion, and imaging studies like CT scans or angiograms to visualize your arteries. Your doctor may also check your blood pressure, cholesterol levels, and blood sugar. Regular monitoring allows you to catch problems early and track how lifestyle changes affect your cardiovascular risk.
Treatment options
- Eat more omega-3 rich foods like fatty fish, walnuts, flax seeds, and chia seeds
- Reduce omega-6 intake by limiting vegetable oils, fried foods, and processed snacks
- Follow a heart-healthy diet rich in vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and lean proteins
- Exercise for at least 150 minutes per week with moderate-intensity activity
- 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 other relaxation techniques
- Get 7 to 9 hours of quality sleep each night
- Limit alcohol to no more than 1 drink per day for women and 2 for men
- Take medications as prescribed, which may include statins, blood pressure drugs, or aspirin
- Work with your doctor to manage diabetes, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol
- Consider omega-3 supplements after discussing with your healthcare provider
Need testing for Cardiovascular Disease (Coronary Artery Disease, Atherosclerosis)? Add it to your panel.
- Simple blood draw at your nearest lab
- Results in days, not weeks
- Share results with your doctor
Frequently asked questions
Cardiovascular disease is an umbrella term for all conditions affecting the heart and blood vessels. Coronary artery disease specifically refers to narrowing of the arteries that supply blood to your heart. Atherosclerosis is the underlying process where plaques build up inside artery walls, which causes coronary artery disease and other cardiovascular problems.
While advanced atherosclerosis cannot be completely reversed, significant improvements are possible. Aggressive lifestyle changes can slow or stop plaque buildup and may even reduce plaque size. Studies show that plant-based diets, regular exercise, stress management, and proper medication can dramatically improve cardiovascular health. Early intervention offers the best chance for meaningful reversal of disease progression.
A high ratio of omega-6 to omega-3 fatty acids promotes inflammation and increases cardiovascular risk. Omega-6 fats can trigger inflammatory processes that damage blood vessel walls and promote plaque formation. Omega-3 fats have the opposite effect, reducing inflammation and protecting your heart. Balancing this ratio through diet changes can significantly lower your risk of heart disease.
Common heart attack symptoms include chest pressure or pain that lasts more than a few minutes, pain radiating to your arms, back, neck, jaw, or stomach, and shortness of breath. You may also experience cold sweats, nausea, lightheadedness, or unusual fatigue. Women are more likely to have atypical symptoms like jaw pain, nausea, or extreme tiredness. If you suspect a heart attack, call 911 immediately.
Testing frequency depends on your age and risk factors. Adults over 20 should have basic cardiovascular risk screening every 4 to 6 years. If you have risk factors like high blood pressure, diabetes, or family history, annual testing is recommended. People with known cardiovascular disease or those making lifestyle changes may benefit from testing every 3 to 6 months to track progress.
Increase omega-3s by eating fatty fish like salmon, mackerel, sardines, and anchovies at least twice weekly. Add walnuts, flax seeds, chia seeds, and hemp seeds to your diet. Reduce omega-6s by avoiding vegetable oils like corn, soybean, and sunflower oil. Choose olive oil or avocado oil instead, and limit processed foods, fried foods, and packaged snacks.
No, chest pain can have many causes besides heart problems. Muscle strain, acid reflux, anxiety, and lung conditions can all cause chest discomfort. However, any new or unexplained chest pain should be evaluated by a doctor, especially if it comes with shortness of breath, sweating, or nausea. Don't assume chest pain is harmless without proper medical evaluation.
Yes, cardiovascular disease can affect people of any age, though it becomes more common as you get older. Risk factors like obesity, diabetes, smoking, and family history can lead to early disease development. Atherosclerosis often begins in childhood and progresses slowly over decades. Young adults with multiple risk factors should discuss screening with their doctor to catch problems early.
Statins help lower cholesterol and stabilize plaques in your arteries. Blood pressure medications like ACE inhibitors or beta-blockers reduce strain on your heart. Antiplatelet drugs like aspirin prevent blood clots from forming. Some people also take medications for diabetes management or other risk factors. Your doctor will recommend medications based on your specific condition and risk profile.
Lifestyle changes can reduce cardiovascular disease risk by 80% or more in many people. Regular exercise, a healthy diet, not smoking, and maintaining healthy weight have enormous protective effects. Studies show that people who follow heart-healthy lifestyles have dramatically lower rates of heart attacks and strokes. Even small improvements like walking daily or adding more vegetables to meals make a measurable difference in cardiovascular outcomes.