Cardiovascular event risk

Cardiovascular events refer to any incidents that cause life-threatening damage to the heart or blood vessels. The cardiovascular system is essential to circulating blood throughout the body, helping to deliver oxygen, nutrients, and hormones while also removing waste products like carbon dioxide. Any obstruction or disruption to this process can have severe implications, particularly cardiovascular events, like:
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Heart attack (myocardial infarction). This happens when blood flow to the heart is blocked, causing heart muscle damage.
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Stroke. Stroke occurs when blood flow to the brain is blocked or there is a bleed within the brain.
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Cardiac arrest. Cardiac arrest refers to a sudden stopping of heart function, usually due to abnormal heart rhythms.
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Angina. Decreased blood flow to the heart can cause chest pain, also known as angina.
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Heart failure exacerbation. An exacerbation would include worsening of heart failure symptoms, such as with shortness of breath or fluid retention.
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Transient ischemic attack (TIA). Sometimes referred to as a “mini stroke”, a TIA blocks blood flow to the brain.
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Somebody’s cardiovascular event risk assesses the probability of someone experiencing one of these major cardiovascular events, such as a heart attack or stroke. It is based on key health indicators predictive of cardiovascular health, such as someone’s:
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Age, sex, and race
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Cholesterol levels and statin use
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Blood pressure and blood pressure medication use
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Diabetes status
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Family history of cardiovascular disease or events
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Smoking history
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History of aspirin therapy
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Knowing someone’s cardiovascular event risk can help individuals tailor medical treatments and lifestyle interventions to effectively decrease someone’s risk.