CVD is an umbrella term to encompass numerous conditions of the<unk>  system. These can be chronic, i.e. ongoing issues, or acute, i.e. having a sudden onset. There are several different types of CVD, of which the most prevalent are: Arrhythmia Arrhythmia (also known as cardiac arrhythmias, heart arrhythmias, or dysrhythmias) is an irregular heartbeat, the rate at which your heart is beating is too slow, (bradycardia) or fast (tachycardia). Although it is normal for your heartbeat to fluctuate at times of activity or rest, chronic consistent irregularity may cause not enough blood to reach all parts of the body, as well as put the individual at an increased risk of blood clotting. This can lead to other forms of CVD that may be life-threatening. As women typically have more rapid normal heart rates and receive differing electrocardiogram results than men, is important for practitioners to approach these cases differently than men to make a rapid diagnosis. Coronary artery disease Coronary Artery Disease (also known as coronary heart disease or ischemic heart disease) is a result of the build-up of substances in the walls of the vessels that provide blood to the heart and parts of the body, the coronary arteries. These substances, which can include cholesterol, cause the vessels to narrow, preventing blood from flowing smoothly through. As the heart compensates for this decrease in blood going out by pumping harder, this can lead to muscle weakness over time, subsequently leading to other life-threatening forms of CVD. The unusual symptoms seen in women with this condition include a sensation of crushing pressure and fatigue – feeling low on energy. Congestive heart failure Congestive heart failure (CHF) is where the heart muscle is unable to pump blood efficiently or at its normal capacity, preventing it from meeting our body’s needs. This can cause fluid build-up in various organs, including the lungs and the heart itself, which also makes it life-threatening. Women and men tend to present similarly for CHF, although women frequently report having more of the symptoms, such as shortness of breath. As well, women typically reflect a normal level of amount of blood pumped from the heart, known as the ejection fraction, which makes diagnosis difficult as it is a crucial sign used to identify CHF. Myocardial infarction Heart attack/Myocardial infarction is when the blood flow to parts of the heart is blocked, due to various reasons including plaque build-up, this can cause the heart muscle to die from not being used. This can lead to permanent heart damage, and may even result in death if not treated efficiently. Women can present with different symptoms than men, including jaw pain and nausea/vomiting, thus it is important to be alert for unusual symptoms reported by women. Peripheral arterial disease Peripheral arterial disease: narrowing of the arteries that provide blood to the extremities due to the build-up of plaque. The lack of oxygen and nutrients can lead to tissue death and subsequent loss of the effected extremities. For this disease, women may or may not show signs, i.e. presenting asymptomatically, which can be a challenge in diagnosing. Stroke === Stroke is a result of limiting or blocking the blood supply to a part of the brain, preventing the tissues from receiving the needed oxygen and nutrients to continue to work. This blockage can occur through a blood clot cutting off circulation through an artery – an ischemic stroke –, a blood vessel bursting – a hemorrhagic stroke –, or blood flow is impaired for a certain amount of time – transient ischemic attack. Similar to other forms of CVD, symptoms unique to women include nausea/vomiting, shortness of breath, or even seizures. Valvular Heart Disease Valvular heart disease is any CVD that is caused by the valves, the door between the chambers of the heart; aortic, mitral, tricuspid, or pulmonary valve. These can be seen as either valve narrowing, also known as or stenosis, or regurgitation, incomplete closing of the valves which leads to leaking of blood backward through the chambers of the heart. Of these, mitral regurgitation followed by aortic stenosis are the most common forms found in women.
Cardiovascular disease in women
Thyroid disease in women
Risk factors for breast cancer
Autoimmune disease in women
Male lactation
High-risk pregnancy
Sleep problems in women
Women and smoking