ASCVD

Learn about common heart conditions and reach out with your questions

Coronary Heart Disease (CHD)

Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease (ASCVD) is a group of conditions caused by atherosclerosis, a disease in which plaque made of fat, cholesterol, calcium, and other substances builds up inside the arteries. Over time, this plaque hardens and narrows the arteries, reducing blood flow to the heart, brain, and other parts of the body. This can lead to serious health problems such as a heart attack, stroke, or peripheral artery disease.

Source: https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/atherosclerosis

Heart Failure

Congestive Heart Failure (CHF), now more commonly referred to by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) as heart failure, is a chronic condition in which the heart cannot pump enough blood to meet the body's needs. This may happen because the heart muscle has become too weak to pump blood effectively or too stiff to fill properly. As a result, blood and fluid can build up in the lungs, legs, feet, or other parts of the body, leading to congestion.

Source: https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/heart-failure

A heart attack, also called a myocardial infarction (MI), occurs when blood flow to part of the heart muscle becomes blocked, preventing the heart from receiving enough oxygen. Without adequate oxygen, the affected heart muscle begins to become damaged or die. Most heart attacks are caused by coronary artery disease, where a buildup of plaque inside the coronary arteries reduces blood flow to the heart.

Source: https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/heart-attack

Heart Attack (Myocardial Infarction)

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common type of irregular heart rhythm (arrhythmia). It occurs when the upper chambers of the heart (atria) beat rapidly and irregularly, causing the heart’s rhythm to become uncoordinated. During AF, the heart may not pump blood as effectively, which can allow blood to pool and increase the risk of forming blood clots.

Source: https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/atrial-fibrillation

Atrial Fibrillation (AF)

Cardiomyopathy

Cardiomyopathy is a disease of the heart muscle that makes it harder for the heart to pump blood effectively. The heart muscle may become enlarged, thickened, stiff, or weakened, which can reduce the heart’s ability to deliver enough blood and oxygen to the body. Over time, cardiomyopathy can lead to heart failure, abnormal heart rhythms (arrhythmias), blood clots, or other serious heart problems.

Source: https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/cardiomyopathy

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death worldwide, estimated around 17.9 million lives each year.

Hypertensive Heart Disease

Hypertensive heart disease refers to heart problems that develop as a result of long-term high blood pressure (hypertension). When blood pressure remains elevated over time, it forces the heart to work harder to pump blood throughout the body. This increased workload can cause the heart muscle to thicken, become stiff, and eventually weaken, leading to complications such as heart failure, coronary heart disease, and other cardiovascular problems.

Source: https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/high-blood-pressure

Hyperlipidemia is a condition in which there are higher-than-normal levels of lipids (fats) in the blood, including cholesterol and triglycerides. These excess fats can contribute to the buildup of plaque inside the arteries, a process known as atherosclerosis. Over time, plaque buildup can narrow or block blood vessels and increase the risk of coronary heart disease, heart attack, and stroke.

Source: https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/high-blood-cholesterol

A stroke is a serious medical condition that occurs when blood flow to part of the brain is interrupted or when a blood vessel in the brain breaks and causes bleeding. Because brain cells require oxygen and nutrients from the blood to function, a stroke can cause brain cells to become damaged or die within minutes. This can lead to lasting disabilities or death if not treated quickly.

Source: https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/stroke

Stroke

Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD)

Peripheral artery disease (PAD) is a condition in which fatty deposits (plaque) build up inside the arteries that carry blood to the legs, feet, arms, and other parts of the body. This buildup, known as atherosclerosis, causes the arteries to become narrowed or blocked, reducing blood flow to the affected areas.

Source: https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/peripheral-artery-disease

Hyperlipidemia

Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease (ASCVD)

Diabetes

ASCVD Risk Fators

Close-up photo of a doctor holding a heart model while explaining heart health.

is the most common type of heart disease. It develops when the coronary arteries, which supply oxygen-rich blood to the heart muscle, become narrowed or blocked by a buildup of plaque. This buildup, called atherosclerosis, reduces blood flow to the heart and can lead to chest pain (angina), heart attack, heart failure, or abnormal heart rhythms.

Source: https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/coronary-heart-disease

Diabetes is a chronic disease in which the level of glucose (sugar) in the blood is too high. This happens when the body does not make enough insulin, does not use insulin properly, or both. Insulin is a hormone made by the pancreas that helps glucose move from the bloodstream into cells, where it is used for energy. When diabetes is not well controlled, high blood glucose levels can damage blood vessels and increase the risk of heart disease and other health problems.

Sources: https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/diabetes

According to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI), several factors can increase your risk of developing atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD). Some risk factors can be managed through lifestyle changes, while others cannot.

Manageable Risk Factors

These are risk factors you can help control:

High LDL ("bad") cholesterol – High levels of LDL cholesterol contribute to plaque buildup in the arteries.
Low HDL ("good") cholesterol – Low HDL levels reduce the body's ability to remove excess cholesterol from the bloodstream.
High blood pressure (Hypertension) – High blood pressure damages artery walls, making plaque buildup more likely.
Smoking and tobacco use – Smoking damages blood vessels, raises blood pressure, and lowers HDL cholesterol.
Diabetes – High blood sugar damages blood vessels and increases the risk of atherosclerosis.
Overweight or obesity – Excess body weight is linked to high cholesterol, high blood pressure, and diabetes.
Physical inactivity – Regular exercise helps maintain healthy cholesterol levels, blood pressure, and weight.
Unhealthy diet – Diets high in saturated fat, trans fat, sodium, and added sugars increase cardiovascular risk.

Non-Manageable Risk Factors

These risk factors cannot be changed:

Older age – The risk of ASCVD increases as you get older.
Family history of early heart disease – Having a close relative with early cardiovascular disease increases your risk.
Sex – Risk patterns differ between men and women and change with age.

Reducing Your Risk

The NHLBI recommends reducing your risk of ASCVD by:

Eating a heart-healthy diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins.
Being physically active on most days of the week.
Maintaining a healthy weight.
Not smoking or using tobacco products.
Managing blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar.
Taking medications as prescribed by your healthcare provider when lifestyle changes alone are not enough.

Source: https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/atherosclerosis

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Heart FAQs

What is arrhythmia?

Arrhythmia is an irregular heartbeat that can feel too fast or too slow.

How to recognize angina?

Angina causes chest pain or discomfort due to reduced blood flow to the heart.

What causes heart failure?

This can occur because the heart has become too weak to pump effectively or too stiff to fill properly with blood. As a result, blood and fluid can back up into the lungs, legs, feet, or other parts of the body, causing congestion.