Heart disease 101

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symptoms and causes

What Are the Symptoms?
Often there are no symptoms of cardiovascular disease until there is a problem. Some people experience faintness, lightheadedness, nausea, chest discomfort or pain, extreme or unusual fatigue, and/or an irregular heartbeat. If you experience any of these symptoms, contact a doctor immediately.

What Causes Heart Disease?
Heart disease is sometimes caused by a defect in the heart or blood vessels at birth. It can be caused by another disease or condition, such as diabetes. Heart disease is also caused by these issues:

• Atherosclerosis—hardening and thickening of the arteries, often due to high cholesterol
• Smoking—harmful to the heart, decreases oxygen, increases blood pressure and clotting, and damages heart and blood vessel cells
• High blood pressure—puts extra strain on the heart and blood vessels