Tell me the first thing you think of when I say the word “cardiovascular”?
“It’s the heart, right”?
“Me too” !
But our cardiovascular system is the heart AND veins.
Blood clots are a cardiovascular event. (CVE)
As women, we have to think about the BIGGER picture when it comes to blood clot prevention and recovery.
Evidence based research shows us how to support and improve our cardiovascular health.
Let’s break down the different terms so you can have a meaningful conversation with your doctor.
Cardiovascular disease, cardiovascular events and cardiometabolic syndrome – what’s the difference?
CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is an umbrella term used to talk about a group of diseases and conditions that impact the heart and/or blood vessels.
You can have a blood clot without having cardiovascular disease (CVD) and vice versa.
But cardiovascular disease and cardiometabolic syndrome (high blood pressure, cholesterol, and diabetes) can increase your risk of blood clots.
CVD are chronic conditions that are often linked to lifestyle risks, and in some cases genetic conditions.
Those genetic conditions may need long-term management with lifestyle intervention as the foundation AND/OR other pharmaceutical and surgical interventions.
CARDIOVASCULAR EVENTS
In contrast, cardiovascular events (CVE) are specific events that affect the heart and blood vessels – these events can be sudden, severe, and life-threatening – like blood clots.
CVE are also often linked to lifestyle risks.
CVE can be the result of underlying cardiovascular disease or in individuals without a history of CVD.
CARDIOMETABOLIC SYNDROME
Cardiometabolic syndrome is a group of conditions that increase the risk of developing cardiovascular disease.
High blood pressure, high cholesterol and Type II Diabetes are examples of cardiometabolic syndrome AND they’re also considered “related risks” for blood clots.
Blood clots and cardiovascular health are connected by shared risk factors and related diseases.
Cardiovascular risk factors are associated with VTE.
This association is clinically relevant with respect to individual screening, risk factor modification, and primary and secondary prevention of VTE.
PMID: 18086925
Managing cardiometabolic syndrome starts with lifestyle changes, like improving nutrition, increasing physical activity, quitting smoking, managing stress, getting enough sleep, and addressing individual risk factors.
Medical interventions may also be needed to lower blood pressure, lipids, and sugar levels.
RISK FACTOR MODIFICATION as the foundation for cardiovascular health including blood clot prevention
Risk factor modification means changing the things we can to reduce our risks of developing certain diseases or chronic health conditions.
You’ve most likely already experienced risk factor modification wrapped in the “eat less, move more” packaging.
But building a strong and healthy cardiovascular system is more than weight loss, it’s a connected system of positive lifestyle habits.
It’s a medical specialty called “Lifestyle Medicine.”
Lifestyle medicine draws from research and evidence in many fields of science to address physical, mental, and social health that is applicable to both primary and specialty care – care that puts you, the patient, as an active and encouraged partner in your healthcare.
The American College of Lifestyle Medicine
Trained healthcare professionals use evidence-based, whole-person, prescriptive lifestyle changes as the primary treatment for chronic conditions including (but not limited to) cardiovascular diseases, type-2 diabetes, and obesity-related conditions that often improve with positive lifestyle habits.
THE SIX FOUNDATIONAL PILLARS OF LIFESTYLE MEDICINE
Lifestyle Medicine breaks down the healthy habits for better cardiovascular health into six pillars.
A whole-food, plant-predominant eating pattern, physical activity, restorative sleep, stress management, avoidance of risky substances, and positive social connections.
These pillars echo the same recommendations from the American Heart Association’s Life’s Essential 8 as well as other reputable medical societies – American Medical Association, American College of Cardiology, Society of Vascular Surgery, American Society of Hematology, and the Menopause Society.
Lifestyle Medicine isn’t new. it’s foundational
For blood clot survivors, lifestyle changes alone may not be enough to prevent a blood clot or recurrence.
You may require anticoagulants (blood thinners) or other medical interventions.
The connection between lifestyle habits and blood clots is undeniable.
Lifestyle triggers should be a part of the conversation for identifying risk factors as well as the foundation for blood clot prevention and recovery.
Assuming the epidemiological associations are accurate, causal, and independent of each other, a reduction of obesity, physical inactivity, current smoking, and Western diet by 25% in the general population might reduce the incidence of unprovoked VTE by 12%.
PMID: 33191841
Resources:
Cardiovascular Risk Factors and Venous Thromboembolism: PMID: 18086925
Cardiovascular Risk Factors Associated With Venous Thromboembolism
Influence of Cardiometabolic Risk Factors on Platelet Function: PMID: 31963572
Joint effects of obesity and body height on the risk of venous thromboembolism: the Tromsø Study: PMID: 2152775
Exploring Opportunities for Primary Prevention of Unprovoked Venous Thromboembolism: Ready for Prime Time? PMID: 33191841
