11: Cardiovascular Disease, Diabetes and Cancer

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Page ID: 97404

Danielle Altman, Rusty Johnson, and Cheryl Owiesny
De Anza College

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Two stethoscopes and a heart — Figure $\PageIndex{1}$: A heart nestled between two stethoscopes on a desk. (A Stethoscope and a Heart by Marek Studzinski on Unsplash)

Introduction to Cardiovascular Health, Diabetes and Cancer

This chapter examines three major health concerns, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and sexually transmitted infections (STIs), that affect millions and carry serious health consequences if left untreated. While these conditions vary in cause and presentation, they share common themes: all are highly prevalent, often preventable, and strongly influenced by lifestyle choices.
Students will explore the causes, symptoms, risk factors, and long-term impacts of each condition, as well as practical strategies for prevention, early detection, and self-care. By understanding how behaviors like diet, physical activity, safe sex, and routine screenings can reduce risk, learners are empowered to make informed decisions that support lifelong health.

Learning Objectives

Define cardiovascular disease (CVD) and identify its most common forms, including coronary artery disease, stroke, hypertension, and heart failure.
Explain the major risk factors for cardiovascular disease, distinguishing between modifiable and non-modifiable factors.
Describe the role of lifestyle behaviors, such as diet, physical activity, tobacco use, and alcohol consumption, in the development and prevention of CVD.
Recognize the signs and symptoms associated with various types of cardiovascular disease.
Discuss strategies for prevention and management of cardiovascular disease, immunity, and cancer at both individual and public health levels.
Analyze the social and economic impact of cardiovascular disease, immunity, and cancer on individuals and society.
Explain the physiological mechanisms of glucose regulation and describe how disruptions in insulin production or utilization lead to different types of diabetes.
Evaluate key strategies for the prevention and management of diabetes, including nutrition, physical activity, medication adherence, and glucose monitoring.
Explain how cancer begins and spreads.
Describe the difference between benign and malignant tumors.
Compare incidence and risk factors for common types of cancer.
Identify ways to prevent cancer.

11.1: The Cardiovascular System
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death in the U.S., claiming 919,032 lives in 2023, about one in three deaths. Heart disease caused most fatalities, with stroke ranking fifth, and someone dies from CVD every 34 seconds. Despite medical advances reducing heart attack deaths, risk factors like high blood pressure and obesity are rising, and 1 in 20 adults lives with coronary artery disease. The economic cost exceeds $417.9 billion annually, and one in six CVD deaths occurs in a
11.2: What is Cardiovascular Diseases
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) remains the leading cause of death in the United States and globally, posing a significant public health challenge. It encompasses a broad range of conditions that affect the heart and blood vessels, including coronary artery disease, stroke, hypertension, and heart failure. While some risk factors such as age, genetics, and sex are beyond an individual’s control, many lifestyle-related factors, such as physical inactivity, poor diet, tobacco use, and excessive alcoh
11.3: Risk Factors for Cardiovascular Disease
Cardiovascular disease risk increases with factors like high blood pressure, high LDL cholesterol, smoking, obesity, inactivity, and poor diet. Having metabolic syndrome—a combination of high blood sugar, abdominal fat, and abnormal cholesterol levels—further raises the risk. While age and genetics play a role, healthy lifestyle choices such as regular exercise, balanced nutrition, and avoiding tobacco can greatly lower the chance of heart disease.
11.4: Treatment and Prevention of Cardiovascular Diseases
The best treatment for cardiovascular disease is prevention. Healthy habits—such as eating nutritious foods, limiting salt, sugar, and unhealthy fats, staying active, maintaining a healthy weight, and not smoking—help keep blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar in check. Regular checkups and screenings are also key to early detection. When disease develops, treatment may include medications, procedures like angioplasty or bypass surgery, and in severe cases, valve replacement or heart tran
11.5: Women and Heart Disease
Heart disease is the leading cause of death for women in the United States, yet awareness remains low. Many women experience subtle symptoms, like fatigue or nausea—instead of chest pain, leading to missed diagnoses. Risk increases with high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, and pregnancy complications. Understanding these risks and adopting heart-healthy habits such as regular exercise, balanced eating, and routine checkups can help women protect their heart health.
11.6: Stroke
A stroke occurs when blood flow to the brain is blocked or a vessel bursts, depriving brain cells of oxygen. It is a leading cause of death and disability in the U.S. Most strokes are caused by blood clots, but some result from bleeding in the brain. Acting quickly when symptoms appear and managing risk factors like high blood pressure, smoking, and diabetes can greatly reduce stroke risk.
11.7: Diabetes
Diabetes mellitus is a chronic condition marked by high blood glucose levels that can cause serious complications such as heart disease, kidney failure, and vision loss if not managed properly. In the U.S., about 38 million people have diabetes, 1 in 5 undiagnosed, and over 98 million adults have prediabetes, most unaware of it, underscoring the urgent need for prevention and early detection.
11.8: About Cancer
Cancer is the second leading cause of death in the United States, affecting millions of people each year. It begins when normal cells stop following the body’s usual rules for growth and death. Instead, they grow uncontrollably, forming tumors or spreading to other parts of the body, a process called metastasis. There are more than 100 types of cancer, but all share this same basic problem of uncontrolled cell growth. While cancer has a major impact on individuals and society, advances in early
11.9: Cancer Screening and Symptoms
Many cancers have no early symptoms, making regular screenings like Pap tests, mammograms, and colonoscopies essential. The acronym CAUTION highlights key warning signs, such as unusual bleeding or changes in moles. Early detection through screening and awareness greatly improves treatment success and survival.
11.10: Cancer Risk and Prevention
Cancer risk is shaped by genetics, lifestyle, and environment, but many cases are preventable. Avoiding tobacco, limiting alcohol, protecting skin from the sun, staying active, eating well, and getting regular screenings can greatly lower risk. Healthy choices and early detection are key to preventing cancer and improving outcomes.
11.11: Comprehension Check
Chapter 11 summary and test your understanding
11.12: Glossary
Glossary terms for Chapter 11
11.13: References
References from Chapter 11
11.14: Detailed Accessible Description

Thumbnail: A heart nestled between two stethoscopes on a desk. (A Stethoscope and a Heart; Marek Studzinski on Unsplash)
This chapter was remixed and authored by Cheryl Owiesny.

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