What are cardiovascular diseases? Cardiovascular disease is the leading health risk for men worldwide. These diseases include: Heart failure; Coronary heart disease; Arrhythmias; Angina; Infections affecting the heart; Birth defects It is possible to have warning signs that indicate the development of cardiovascular disease without the affected person knowing about it. Therefore, it is very important to recognize the early signs of heart diseases, as well as the risk factors for them, so that treatment can begin earlier and prevent more serious health problems. What are the risk factors for cardiovascular disease in men? Many men are at high risk of developing cardiovascular disease. According to studies, increasing problems with lack of physical activity carry the risk of cardiovascular diseases. It is also reported that a large proportion of men over the age of 20 are overweight or obese. There is also a problem with the large number of smokers among men, which can lead to narrowing of blood vessels. Narrowed blood vessels precede some types of cardiovascular disease. Other risk factors include: A diet high in saturated fat; Alcohol abuse; High cholesterol; Diabetes; Hypertension (high blood pressure) According to many studies, almost half of people, both men and women, are exposed to three or more risk factors for cardiovascular disease. What are the early signs of cardiovascular disease? Cardiovascular disease can often manifest as a heart attack or other serious event. But there are some important signs that can help recognize problems before they occur. For example, with cardiac arrhythmias, you may experience: Difficulty breathing after moderate physical exertion such as climbing stairs; A feeling of discomfort or tightness in the chest that lasts from 30 minutes to several hours; Unexplained pain in the upper torso, neck and jaw; A heart beat that is faster, slower, or more irregular than usual; Dizziness or fainting; Heart disease that affects the blood vessels is often manifested by: Chest pain; Shortness of breath; Changes in the limbs, such as – pain, swelling, numbness and weakness; Severe fatigue; Irregular heartbeat These symptoms may be signs that the blood vessels are narrowed. This narrowing, which can be caused by a build-up of plaque, makes it difficult for the heart to pump blood and impedes its circulation throughout the body. To these symptoms, in cardiovascular diseases caused by infection, dry cough, fever and skin rashes can be added. The risk of cardiovascular disease increases significantly if a person has diabetes and high blood pressure. Bibliography: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Men and heart disease fact sheet Merz AA, et al.Sex differences in cardiovascular aging American Heart Association. Warning signs of a heart attack