Cardiovascular diseases include which of the following?

Cardiovascular diseases are conditions that primarily affect the heart and blood vessels, often involving processes such as atherosclerosis, which is the buildup of fats and cholesterol on artery walls. The correct choice includes several key cardiovascular diseases: atherosclerosis, coronary heart disease, stroke, and hypertension.

Atherosclerosis contributes to coronary heart disease, which is the narrowing or blockage of coronary arteries due to plaque buildup, leading to heart attacks. Stroke is directly linked to cardiovascular health—often resulting from blocked or narrowed blood vessels in the brain, which may also be impacted by atherosclerosis. Hypertension, or high blood pressure, increases the risk of heart disease and stroke, making it a critical condition in cardiovascular health.

The other answer choices included conditions that are either not classified as cardiovascular diseases or overlap with different health issues. For instance, diabetes and obesity are risk factors for cardiovascular diseases rather than diseases themselves. Similarly, flu is an infectious disease, and cancer is a completely different category of illnesses.

This is why the combination of atherosclerosis, coronary heart disease, stroke, and hypertension presents a comprehensive picture of cardiovascular diseases, reflecting the critical issues that can lead to widespread health complications in the cardiovascular system.