Cardiologist: 80% of cardiovascular disease is preventable

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — Cardiovascular disease continues to be a leading cause of death in the U.S., but around 80% of the disease is preventable.

“A lot of it goes to misunderstanding about what causes heart diseases,” Dr. Thomas Boyden, medical director for preventative cardiology and cardiac rehabilitation for Corewell Health, said. “I think a lot of people think that if family members had heart disease, they’re kind of predetermined and predestined to have heart disease themselves.”

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This is not the case, according to Boyden.

“There’s only a few real genetic problems that can really predetermine whether or not you might have heart issues,” he explained. “But otherwise, it’s really our day-to-day activities, our diet, physical activity, how we manage our stress, our sleep.”

Boyden says that sometimes, those with cardiovascular disease can cope with the stress in unhealthy ways, leading to further complications.

“The stress of these things can lead to things like smoking, can lead to excess alcohol intake, using nicotine products outside of smoking, like vaping,” he said. “Sometimes, people are using illicit drugs. Sometimes, they’re just not taking their meds because of stress.”

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But for those with cardiovascular disease, as well as those who may be at risk, there are options.

Boyden told News 8 certain programs can help reverse the disease. And for people with risk factors, there are also preventative programs.

“We have programs designed to help people get these risk factors under control, really focus on healthy behaviors, really educate people about medications and why they’re important,” he said.

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