Cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases are a general term for heart and cerebrovascular diseases, mainly caused by atherosclerosis, thrombosis or vascular dysfunction. Early prevention can significantly reduce the risk of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events by more than 80% (WHO data). The following is a systematic classification and targeted prevention strategy:
🧠 1. Main types and characteristics of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases
(I) Cardiovascular disease
Coronary heart disease (coronary atherosclerotic heart disease)
Type: angina pectoris, myocardial infarction, sudden death
Core cause: coronary artery plaque blockage leads to myocardial ischemia and hypoxia.
Hypertensive heart disease
Manifestations: long-term hypertension → left ventricular hypertrophy → heart failure.
Arrhythmia
Risk point: atrial fibrillation can easily cause stroke (thrombus detachment blocks cerebral blood vessels).
Heart failure
Causes: myocardial infarction, uncontrolled hypertension, valvular heart disease.
(II) Cerebrovascular disease
Ischemic stroke (accounting for 80%)
Mechanism: cerebral artery thrombosis or embolism (such as carotid artery plaque detachment).
Hemorrhagic stroke
Type: cerebral hemorrhage (high blood pressure leads to rupture of blood vessels), subarachnoid hemorrhage (aneurysm rupture).
Transient ischemic attack (TIA)
Warning significance: “mini-stroke”, symptoms disappear within 24 hours, but the risk of stroke is 5% within 48 hours.
⚠️ Common pathological basis: Atherosclerosis is the root cause of most cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events.
🛡️ 2. Core preventive measures: three-level defense line construction
The first line of defense: lifestyle intervention (applicable to everyone)
Measures Specific implementation plan
Diet optimization – Mediterranean diet pattern: olive oil instead of animal oil, deep-sea fish (salmon, mackerel) ≥2 times a week
– Salt limit: <5 grams/day (about 1 beer bottle cap), replace with vanilla/lemon flavoring
– Dietary fiber: 25-30 grams per day (oats, beans, apples with skin)
Exercise prescription – Aerobic + resistance combination: 5 days a week brisk walking/swimming 30 minutes + 2 days of dumbbells/squats (enhance vascular elasticity)
– Avoid sitting for long periods of time: get up and move for 5 minutes every hour
Quit smoking and limit alcohol – Quit smoking: 50% reduction in the risk of coronary heart disease after 1 year
– Limit alcohol: ≤25 grams of alcohol/day for men (about 250ml of red wine), half for women
Weight management BMI controlled at 18.5-23.9, waist circumference (male <90cm, female <85cm)
Psychological adjustment Meditate for 10 minutes every day, and use the “4-7-8 breathing method” when you are anxious (inhale for 4 seconds → hold your breath for 7 seconds → exhale for 8 seconds)
The second line of defense: control risk factors (for high-risk groups)
Hypertension
Target value: <130/80 mmHg (diabetic patients need to be more stringent)
Medication: ACEI/ARB (such as perindopril, losartan) is the first choice, which has both cardiorenal protection.
Hyperlipidemia
Key indicator: LDL-C (low-density lipoprotein) is the intervention target
General population: LDL-C <3.4 mmol/L
Coronary heart disease/diabetes patients: LDL-C <1.8 mmol/L
Medication: Statins (such as rosuvastatin), if the target is not reached, use ezetimibe in combination
Diabetes
Goal: Glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) <7.0%
Preferred drugs: SGLT2 inhibitors (empagliflozin), GLP-1 receptor agonists (liraglutide), both with cardiovascular protection.
Anticoagulation for atrial fibrillation
When the CHA₂DS₂-VASc score is ≥2 points, anticoagulants (rivaroxaban, dabigatran) are required.
The third line of defense: regular screening and early intervention
Examination items Recommended frequency Screening significance
Carotid ultrasound Every 1-2 years after the age of 40 Detect plaques and predict the risk of stroke
Coronary CTA/calcification score Every 3-5 years for high-risk groups Non-invasive assessment of coronary artery stenosis
Homocysteine Once a year ≥15μmol/L requires folic acid supplementation (reduces the risk of thrombosis)
Ankle-brachial index (ABI) Annual physical examination for the elderly Screening for lower limb arteriosclerosis (<0.9 indicates ischemia)
❗ 3. Warning signs that require immediate medical attention
Heart-related: chest pain radiating to the left arm/mandible, shortness of breath when lying flat, paroxysmal dyspnea at night
Brain-related: Sudden facial paralysis (FAST rule: crooked face → hand weakness → unclear speech → rush to the doctor)
Limb blood vessels: severe pain in the lower limbs after walking, weakened dorsalis pedis artery pulsation
🌿 4. Prevention characteristics of combining Chinese and Western medicine
Traditional Chinese medicine conditioning:
Tea substitute: Hawthorn 10g + 5g of Danshen soaked in water (activate blood circulation and remove blood stasis)
Acupoint massage: press Neiguan acupoint (2 inches above the wrist crease) for 3 minutes every day to regulate heart rate and blood pressure
Modern nutrition:
Supplement vitamin K2 (natto, cheese) to guide calcium into bones and reduce vascular calcification.
💎 Summary: Prevention execution list
Immediate action: replace kitchen salt with low sodium salt, and start recording daily steps today (target 8,000 steps).
Screening arrangement: If you are aged ＞40 years or have a history of hypertension/smoking, make an appointment for carotid ultrasound + blood lipid testing.
Risk self-test: calculate ASCVD risk assessment (online tool) to clarify your own risk level.
Family protection: keep a sphygmomanometer at home and measure blood pressure every month; learn CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) first aid skills.
Key cognition: Cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases are essentially “lifestyle diseases”. From today, every dietary choice and every step you take are reshaping vascular health – the value of prevention is far better than treatment.