Heart & Circulation
Heart & circulation health covers the heart, blood vessels and the circulatory system that delivers oxygen and nutrients throughout the body. Cardiovascular conditions include heart disease, high blood pressure, abnormal heart rhythms and other problems affecting the heart or blood vessels. Understanding risk factors, symptoms, prevention, testing and treatment can help you make informed decisions about your cardiovascular health.
What Is Heart & Circulation Health?
Heart and circulation health refers to the health of the cardiovascular system, which includes the heart and blood vessels. The heart pumps blood throughout the body, while blood vessels carry oxygen and nutrients to tissues and help remove waste products. Cardiovascular health is influenced by factors such as blood pressure, cholesterol, blood sugar, smoking, physical activity, diet, age and family history.
Heart & circulation health is the health of your heart and blood vessels and how effectively they move blood throughout your body.
How Does the Cardiovascular System Work?
The cardiovascular system continuously moves blood between the heart, lungs and the rest of the body.
Heart Pumps Blood
The heart contracts to pump blood through the circulatory system.
Blood Carries Oxygen
Blood transports oxygen and nutrients to tissues throughout the body.
Blood Vessels Deliver It
Arteries, veins and smaller blood vessels move blood between the heart, lungs and tissues.
Waste Is Carried Away
Circulation also helps transport waste products away from tissues for removal by the body.
How Can You Protect Your Heart Health?
Everyday habits and management of cardiovascular risk factors can support long-term heart health.
Stay Physically Active
Regular physical activity can support cardiovascular fitness and help with weight, blood pressure and other health factors.
Eat for Cardiovascular Health
A balanced eating pattern can support healthy blood pressure, cholesterol, blood sugar and body weight.
Don't Smoke
Avoiding tobacco and stopping smoking can reduce important cardiovascular risks.
Monitor Blood Pressure and Cholesterol
Regular checks can identify risk factors that may not cause noticeable symptoms.
Manage Diabetes and Other Risk Factors
Managing diabetes and other health conditions can help reduce cardiovascular risk.
Know Your Family History
A family history of cardiovascular disease can be important when discussing your individual risk and screening needs.
Common Heart & Circulation Conditions
Heart and circulation problems can affect the heart muscle, coronary arteries, heart valves, electrical rhythm or blood vessels. Some conditions develop gradually, while others can cause sudden symptoms and require urgent medical attention.
Heart Disease
Heart disease is a broad term for conditions affecting the heart's structure or function. Coronary artery disease, heart failure and heart valve disease are examples of cardiovascular conditions.
Learn about Heart Disease →High Blood Pressure
Hypertension, or high blood pressure, occurs when blood pressure remains higher than recommended over time. It often causes no obvious symptoms, which is why regular blood pressure checks are important.
Atrial Fibrillation
Atrial fibrillation (AFib) is an irregular heart rhythm that can increase the risk of blood clots and stroke. Some people experience palpitations or shortness of breath, while others have no noticeable symptoms.
Other Cardiovascular Conditions
Cardiovascular conditions can also affect blood vessels, the heart muscle, valves or the heart's electrical system.
- Coronary artery disease
- Heart failure
- Heart valve disease
- Peripheral artery disease
- Cardiomyopathy
- Other arrhythmias
Heart & Circulation Symptoms to Know
Symptoms of cardiovascular problems can vary depending on the condition. Some problems cause no noticeable symptoms, while others may cause chest discomfort, shortness of breath, palpitations, dizziness or swelling.
What Increases the Risk of Cardiovascular Problems?
Cardiovascular risk can be influenced by health conditions, lifestyle factors, age and family history.
How Are Heart and Circulation Problems Diagnosed?
The tests used to evaluate cardiovascular health depend on your symptoms, medical history and risk factors.
How Evaluation Works
A healthcare professional may use routine measurements, blood tests, heart rhythm tests or imaging when appropriate. The evaluation depends on the suspected cardiovascular condition rather than requiring every patient to have every test.
Common Evaluations May Include
- Blood pressure measurement
- Cholesterol and lipid testing
- Blood glucose or A1C testing
- Electrocardiogram (ECG/EKG)
- Echocardiogram
- Exercise or stress testing
- Cardiac imaging
- Holter or ambulatory rhythm monitoring
Heart & Circulation Treatment and Management
Treatment depends on the specific cardiovascular condition, its severity and the person's overall health.
Lifestyle Management
Healthy eating, physical activity, avoiding tobacco and addressing cardiovascular risk factors may form part of management.
Medicines
Depending on the condition, medicines may be used to manage blood pressure, cholesterol, heart rhythm or other cardiovascular risks.
Procedures and Surgery
Some cardiovascular conditions may require procedures or surgery depending on the condition and its severity.
Regular Monitoring
Follow-up appointments and monitoring can help assess how a cardiovascular condition responds to treatment.
Heart Health: Facts vs Myths
Common misconceptions can make it harder to recognize cardiovascular risk or understand prevention.
| Myth | Fact |
|---|---|
| Heart disease only affects older adults. | Cardiovascular risk can develop over many years and can affect adults at different ages. |
| If I feel healthy, my blood pressure must be normal. | High blood pressure often has no noticeable symptoms. |
| Heart disease is mainly a men's health problem. | Cardiovascular disease affects women as well as men. |
| Exercise is always dangerous after heart disease. | Physical activity may be part of cardiovascular rehabilitation when recommended by a healthcare professional. |
When Should You Seek Urgent Medical Care?
Seek emergency medical care for sudden or severe symptoms such as chest pressure or pain, severe shortness of breath, fainting, or symptoms that may indicate a heart attack or stroke. Do not wait for symptoms to improve if they are severe or rapidly worsening.
Seek Emergency Medical HelpHeart & Circulation FAQs
Clear answers to common questions about cardiovascular health, symptoms, prevention, diagnosis and treatment.
Heart and circulation health refers to the health of the heart and blood vessels and how effectively they circulate blood throughout the body.
Common cardiovascular problems include heart disease, high blood pressure, abnormal heart rhythms and diseases affecting blood vessels.
Warning signs can include chest discomfort, shortness of breath, palpitations, dizziness, fainting and unusual fatigue. Severe or sudden symptoms require urgent medical assessment.
Many cardiovascular risk factors can be reduced through healthy eating, physical activity, avoiding tobacco, managing blood pressure and cholesterol, and addressing other health conditions.
Depending on the symptoms and suspected condition, evaluation may include blood pressure measurement, blood tests, ECG, heart imaging or rhythm monitoring.
New, persistent or unexplained symptoms should be discussed with a healthcare professional. Severe or sudden chest pain, breathing difficulty, fainting or other emergency symptoms require urgent medical care.
Have Questions About Your Heart Health?
If you have persistent symptoms or concerns about cardiovascular health, a healthcare professional can help determine what evaluation may be appropriate.
Consult a Cardiologist →