CONDITIONS · MARYLAND & VIRGINIA
Cardiovascular Disease
Cardiovascular disease is a broad term covering conditions of the heart and blood vessels. Learn how artery health, vascular symptoms and long-term risk management fit into coordinated care.
What does cardiovascular disease include?
Cardiovascular disease includes conditions affecting the heart and blood vessels, such as coronary artery disease, stroke, peripheral artery disease (PAD) and some disorders involving heart rhythm, valves or pumping function. These conditions are related, but they are not interchangeable and may require different specialists, tests and treatments.
Which symptoms require urgent care?
- New chest pressure, squeezing or pain, especially with shortness of breath, sweating, nausea or discomfort in the arm, back, neck or jaw.
- Sudden facial drooping, one-sided weakness, speech trouble, vision loss or loss of balance.
- A suddenly cold, pale, numb or severely painful arm or leg.
- Call 911 for possible heart attack, stroke or sudden loss of blood flow rather than waiting for an office response.
How does vascular disease fit into cardiovascular health?
Vascular disease affects arteries and veins. Atherosclerosis can narrow arteries supplying the heart, brain or legs, so PAD and carotid artery disease share several cardiovascular risk factors. Vein conditions are also vascular disorders but differ from artery disease and need a different evaluation. A vascular specialist focuses on blood-vessel concerns outside routine heart care.
How is cardiovascular risk evaluated?
A clinician may review blood pressure, cholesterol, diabetes, tobacco exposure, activity, family history and previous heart or vascular diagnoses. Testing should address a specific concern rather than use the same study for everyone. Your primary care clinician, cardiologist and vascular specialist may each have a different role in the evaluation.
How can cardiovascular risk be managed?
A coordinated plan may include tobacco cessation, nutrition and activity changes, and medicines chosen for your diagnoses and risk factors. Procedures address specific heart or blood-vessel problems; they do not replace ongoing blood-pressure, cholesterol, diabetes and preventive care. Do not stop or change prescribed medicines without guidance.
Keep your care team connected
Bring a current medication list and recent cardiac or vascular reports. Tell the vascular team who manages your primary and heart care, and share vascular recommendations with those clinicians. Ask which professional is responsible for each test, medicine and follow-up plan.
More about this concern
Your questions, answered.
Is cardiovascular disease the same as vascular disease?
The terms overlap, but they are not identical. Cardiovascular disease includes heart and blood-vessel conditions. Vascular disease usually refers more specifically to disorders of arteries, veins and lymphatic vessels.
Is PAD a cardiovascular disease?
Yes. PAD is a cardiovascular condition caused by narrowed arteries outside the heart, most often affecting the legs. It shares risk factors with coronary and carotid artery disease.
When should I see a vascular specialist instead of a cardiologist?
A vascular specialist commonly evaluates artery or vein concerns such as walking-related leg pain, nonhealing foot wounds, carotid narrowing or persistent vein symptoms. A cardiologist focuses on heart conditions. Your clinicians can coordinate when both areas are involved.
Can lifestyle changes replace cardiovascular medicines?
Healthy habits are important, but they do not automatically replace prescribed treatment. Medication decisions depend on your diagnosis and risk and should be made with the clinician managing that condition.
Let’s talk about your next step.
Our team can help you choose an office in Maryland or Virginia and confirm where your evaluation or procedure will take place.
Patient education sources
General educational information, not a diagnosis or an individual treatment recommendation. Your clinician can explain which options are appropriate for you.