What is cardiovascular disease?

Despite what its name may suggest, cardiovascular disease (CVD) is not actually a particular disorder in itself.  It refers to any disorder in any of the various parts of your cardiovascular system.  Your cardiovascular system consists of your heart and all the blood vessels throughout your body.  Cardiovascular disease has two main components:

• Diseases of the heart (cardio)
• Diseases of the blood (vascular)

The most common types of CVD are...

• high blood pressure,
• stroke, and
• coronary heart disease.

Source: American Heart Association Heart Disease & Stroke Statistics (2005 Update)  

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