What is the Difference Between Coronary Heart Disease and Cardiovascular Disease?

The main difference between coronary heart disease and cardiovascular disease lies in the scope of the terms. Cardiovascular disease is a broader term that encompasses all types of diseases that affect the heart or blood vessels, while coronary heart disease is a specific type of cardiovascular disease that involves the clogging of arteries.

Cardiovascular Disease (CVD):

Refers to all diseases of the heart and blood vessels.
Includes coronary heart disease, heart failure, valvular heart disease, and many others.
Cardiovascular diseases can be thought of as a family, sharing many of the same risk factors.
CVD is the most common cause of death globally, with more than 800,000 people dying of cardiovascular disease every year in the United States.

Coronary Heart Disease (CHD):

A specific type of cardiovascular disease that occurs when plaque (a combination of fat, cholesterol, calcium, and other substances found in the blood) builds up in the arteries.
This plaque buildup, also known as atherosclerosis or clogged arteries, reduces the amount of oxygen-rich blood getting to the heart, which can cause chest pain (angina).
Plaque can also lead to blood clots, which block blood flow and are the most common cause of heart attacks.
CHD is the most common type of cardiovascular disease and the most common cause of heart attack.

In summary, cardiovascular disease is a broader term that includes all diseases affecting the heart or blood vessels, while coronary heart disease is a specific type of cardiovascular disease that involves the clogging of arteries. All heart diseases are cardiovascular diseases, but not all cardiovascular diseases are heart diseases.

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What is the Difference Between Coronary Heart Disease and Cardiovascular Disease?

Comparative Table: Coronary Heart Disease vs Cardiovascular Disease

Cardiovascular disease, coronary heart disease, and heart disease are related but distinct terms. Here is a table comparing the differences between these conditions:

Condition	Definition	Key Features
Cardiovascular Disease	An umbrella term for all types of diseases that affect the heart or blood vessels, including coronary heart disease, heart failure, valvular heart disease, and many others.	- Affects the heart and/or blood vessels - Includes coronary heart disease, heart failure, valvular heart disease, and more
Coronary Heart Disease	A condition that develops when the major blood vessels (coronary arteries) supplying the heart with blood and nutrients are damaged or diseased, usually due to inflammation and cholesterol-containing deposits (plaques).	- Affects the coronary arteries - Caused by plaque buildup, leading to reduced blood flow to the heart and potentially causing chest pain (angina) or heart attacks
Heart Disease	A broad term used to describe a range of disorders affecting the heart, including diseases of the blood vessels associated with the heart (such as coronary heart disease) and disorders of the heart's structure or electrical system (such as heart arrhythmia or congenital heart disease).	- Includes coronary heart disease and other blood vessel disorders - Also covers disorders of the heart's structure or electrical system (e.g., heart arrhythmia, congenital heart disease)

Cardiovascular disease is the broader term, encompassing all diseases that affect the heart or blood vessels. Coronary heart disease is a specific type of cardiovascular disease that affects the coronary arteries, while heart disease is a broader term that includes both coronary heart disease and other disorders affecting the heart's structure or function.

Guilherme Mazui

Guilherme Mazui is graduated in journalism from the Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG) and a master's degree in Communication from the University of São Paulo (USP). In addition, he has experience in advertising writing and has worked as a content editor in several companies.