​Causes

The causes of cardiovascular disease varies, depending on the specific heart condition one has.

Some of the common type of heart disease and its causes are:

• Abnormal heart rhythm: This occurs when there is a problem with the heart’s electrical conduction system
• Problems with the heart’s blood vessels, such as coronary artery disease or a blockage in the heart’s blood vessel
• Congenital heart disease: A heart defect that one is born with
• Heart valve disease: The heart’s valve does not function properly
• Heart failure: The heart loses its ability to pump enough blood
  
  

Risk factors

An individual is more likely to develop cardiovascular disease if they have one or more of the following risk factors:

• High blood pressure (also known as hypertension)
• High cholesterol
• Diabetes
• Family history of heart disease
• Smoking
• Constant overconsumption of alcohol
• Obesity or overweight
• Physical inactivity and a sedentary lifestyle
• Ageing or other chronic conditions