Cardiovascular Disease The term "cardiovascular disease" refers to a variety of diseases and conditions affecting the heart and blood vessels, principally high blood pressure, heart disease, and stroke. (Ascherio, 1996) Almost 10 million Americans aged 65 years and older report disabilities caused by heart disease. Stroke is also a leading cause of disability in the United States, accounting for the reported cause of disability among more than 1 million people nationwide. Almost 6 million hospitalizations each year are due to cardiovascular disease. The number one killer in America is cardiovascular disease. In 1