Cardiovascular diseases are a group of disorders of the heart and blood vessels which are:

• Coronary heart disease- disease of the blood vessels supplying the heart muscle.
• Cerebrovascular disease- disease of the blood vessels supplying the brain.
• Peripheral arterial disease- disease of blood vessels supplying the arms and legs.
• Rheumatic heart disease- damage to the heart muscle and heart valves from the rheumatic fever, caused by streptococcal bacteria.
• Congenital heart disease malformations of the heart structure existing at birth.
• Deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism- blood clots in the leg veins, that can dislodge and move to the heart and lungs.

Heart attacks and strokes are caused by blockages so blood can’t flow to the heart or brain. The most common reason for this is a buildup of fatty deposits. Strokes can also be caused by bleeding from a blood vessel in the brain or from blood clots. Tobacco use, unhealthy diet and obesity can result in heart attack or stroke.