Kardiovaskulaarse

Kardiovaskulaarse is an Estonian term meaning "cardiovascular." It relates to the heart and blood vessels, collectively the cardiovascular system, and is used in medicine to describe its anatomy, physiology, diseases, and therapies.

The cardiovascular system comprises the heart, arteries, veins, and capillaries. The heart functions as a muscular pump with four chambers, circulating blood through the pulmonary and systemic circuits. Blood pressure, vessel tone, and heart rate are regulated by neural, hormonal, and local factors.

Cardiovascular diseases include coronary artery disease, heart failure, arrhythmias, stroke, and peripheral arterial disease. Major risk factors are smoking, hypertension, high cholesterol, diabetes, obesity, physical inactivity, and unhealthy diet; non-modifiable factors include age, sex, and family history.

Diagnosis relies on history, physical examination, and tests such as electrocardiography, echocardiography, lipid panels, troponin, and imaging. Treatments emphasize lifestyle changes, medications (for example statins, antihypertensives, antiplatelets), and, when needed, procedures such as angioplasty or bypass surgery. Prevention focuses on risk-factor management and early detection.