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Cardiovascular Disease In America

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The most worrying and widespread health issue in America is cardiovascular disease. Not only is it responsible for the most deaths in America every year, but its threat also is not taken seriously enough. The fact that it is so widespread in the nation and may have devastating consequences for those afflicted makes it the most concerning health crisis in American society.
Cardiovascular disease is an umbrella term for various conditions which have a detrimental effect on how well the heart and blood vessels function. The most common type of cardiovascular disease is coronary artery disease, which involves the collection of cholesterol at inflamed sections of the arteries within the heart (Wedro). These accumulations of cholesterol then harden, forming plaques which narrow the vessels and restrict blood flow to the heart. …show more content…

Heart attacks can occur when a clot blocks blood flow to the heart, often leading to death of the affected heart muscle. Likewise, ischemic strokes happen when a blood clot becomes lodged in a blood vessel of the brain, causing neurons to die due to local hypoxia. However, heart disease can also lead to damage in other ways. Cardiovascular disease can be accompanied by high blood pressure, which forces the heart to pump more forcefully in order to deliver blood throughout the body properly. High blood pressure also significantly increases the risk of blood vessels leaking or bursting, which could cause a hemorrhagic stroke, retinopathy, or other potentially life-threatening medical problems (“What is Cardiovascular Disease?”). While one affected by these conditions can recover, cardiovascular disease can obligate major lifestyle changes and generally reduce the quality of

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