Cardiovascular diseases

In the Netherlands, many people suffer from cardiovascular diseases - conditions that affect the heart or blood vessels. Examples of cardiovascular diseases are myocardial infarction, cerebral infarction and cerebral haemorrhage. Cardiovascular disease can be caused by various risk factors. For example, increased cholesterol, diabetes, high blood pressure or obesity or a combination of these. And lifestyle also has an influence.

This page tells you what the signs might be, what the causes are and what treatment might look like.

Symptoms

Sometimes there are clear signs of cardiovascular disease, such as persistent chest pain. But there are also vaguer symptoms that may indicate cardiovascular disease, such as fatigue, excessive sweating or nausea. In women, symptoms are often less obvious. Sometimes there are also no symptoms at all, in the case of a stroke, for example. Vague symptoms are not always recognised. If you are in doubt or worried, see your GP.

Risk factors for cardiovascular disease

There are several factors that can cause cardiovascular disease. Below is an overview of possible causes:

• High blood pressure
• High cholesterol
• Overweight
• Smoking
• Heredity
• Harmful substances
• Unhealthy lifestyle