Final answer:
Cardiovascular disease is a class of diseases involving the heart or blood vessels. It is the leading cause of death worldwide. Risk factors include smoking, high blood pressure, high cholesterol levels, obesity, diabetes, and a sedentary lifestyle.
Step-by-step explanation:
Cardiovascular disease refers to a class of diseases that involve the heart or blood vessels. The diseases include coronary artery disease, stroke, and peripheral artery disease. Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death worldwide, with about 30 percent of deaths attributable mainly to cardiovascular disease. By the year 2030, an estimated 23 million people a year will die from cardiovascular disease.
Common risk factors for cardiovascular disease include smoking, high blood pressure, high cholesterol levels, obesity, diabetes, and a sedentary lifestyle. Hypertension, or high blood pressure, is a major risk factor for developing cardiovascular disease. It refers to consistently elevated blood pressure levels above the normal range. Atherosclerosis, the buildup of plaque in the arteries, is a key mechanism behind cardiovascular disease development. It can lead to conditions such as coronary artery disease and stroke.