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What is cardiovascular disease?

Cardiovascular disease generally refers to a heart condition in which the arteries narrow over time due to plaque buildup, which makes it harder for blood to flow properly. If blood clots form and an artery becomes completely blocked, a heart attack or stroke can occur. This happens all too often, as cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death for Americans, both men and women. Cardiovascular disease is also the most common type of heart condition, and it sometimes is called coronary heart disease or coronary artery disease.

Most people don't know something is wrong until they start experiencing symptoms. Common symptoms of cardiovascular disease include:

Pain, tightness, pressure or discomfort in the chest
Shortness of breath
Pain, numbness, weakness or coldness in arms or legs
Pain in the neck, jaw, throat, upper abdomen or back

However, cardiovascular disease can start well before any of these symptoms appear. For example, high blood pressure can often go unnoticed. That's why it's so important to understand the risk factors for cardiovascular disease and manage those that can be changed, such as smoking, high blood pressure, diet and exercise.

Interested in learning more about the risk factors that may be putting you at risk for heart disease? Take our free heart health assessment to receive a personalized analysis of your heart disease risk.

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Why Choose Us?

Lutheran Health Network provides specialty cardiovascular care for an extensive variety of conditions and concerns ranging from heart attacks, heart failure and irregular heartbeats to valve replacement surgery, and ventricular assist device implantation. Cardiovascular services is one of our key focuses for innovation and research and work with some of the largest and most innovative institutions in the United States. We believe heart health education is a critical component to long-term success. Throughout the entire patient care journey, our dedicated care team is committed to providing innovative treatment solutions while teaching patients about the importance of making lifestyle changes for a more successful outcome.

Our Cardiac and Vascular Services Include:

Advanced diagnostics to evaluate coronary artery disease
Diagnostic and interventional cardiac catheterizations
Advanced heart failure treatment in a dedicated inpatient unit
Ventricular assist device (VAD) implantation
Management of complex heart rhythm disorders
Diagnostic and interventional procedures to treat peripheral vascular disease
Electrophysiology studies and ablation treatments
Advanced device therapies for pacemaker and implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) placement
Minimally invasive surgery for heart and blood vessel disorders
Bypass, valve replacement, carotid and other surgical procedures
Blood clot treatment with thrombectomies or inferior vena cava (IVC) filters
Fluid overflow therapy

Heart Healthy Resources

A Woman’s Risk for Heart Disease is Different: Here’s What You Need to Know

Heart disease is a big issue in the United States for both men and women alike. But some risk factors are more unique to women.
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What Do Doctors Have To Say About Your Heart?

Is High Blood Pressure Considered Heart Disease?

Finding out you have high blood pressure can be worrisome if you aren’t sure what your numbers mean or what to do about them. Discover how high blood pressure affects your heart.
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How Does Smoking Affect Your Heart?

Smoking’s impact reaches far beyond your lungs, harming nearly every other organ in the body. Get the specifics on how smoking can influence your heart’s health.
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Why Your Heart Wants You to Pay Attention to Your Cholesterol

Your liver makes cholesterol in your body, but you also get cholesterol from eating certain foods. Find out how the wrong kind of cholesterol can impact your heart.
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