Cardiovascular disease (CVD) refers to a number of health conditions that affect the circulatory system, including the heart, arteries, veins and capillaries. The treatment, symptoms, and prevention of conditions that are part of cardiovascular disease often overlap.
CVD is now the
In this article, we look at the different types of cardiovascular disease, their symptoms and causes, and how to prevent and treat them.
Cardiovascular diseases include many types of pathologies. Some of these could develop at the same time or lead to other conditions or illnesses within the group.
Diseases and conditions that affect the heart include:
- anginaa type of chest pain due to decreased blood flow to the heart
- arrhythmiaor irregular heartbeat or rhythm
- congenital heart diseasein which a problem with heart function or structure is present from birth
- coronary artery diseasewhich affects the arteries that supply the heart muscle
- heart attackor a sudden blockage of blood flow and oxygen supply to the heart
- heart failurein which the heart cannot contract or relax normally
- dilated cardiomyopathy, a type of heart failure, in which the heart enlarges and cannot pump blood effectively
- hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, in which the walls of the heart muscle thicken and problems with muscle relaxation, blood flow, and electrical instability develop
- mitral regurgitation, in which blood flows backward through the mitral valve of the heart during contractions
- mitral valve prolapse, in which part of the mitral valve protrudes into the left atrium of the heart as it contracts, causing mitral regurgitation
- pulmonary stenosis, in which a narrowing of the pulmonary artery reduces blood flow from the right ventricle (pumping chamber to the lungs) to the pulmonary artery (blood vessel that carries deoxygenated blood to the lungs)
- aortic stenosis, a narrowing of the heart valve that can block blood flow out of the heart
- atrial fibrillationan irregular rhythm which can increase the risk of stroke
- rheumatic cardiac diseasea complication of strep throat it causes inflammation in the heart and which can affect the functioning of the heart valves
- radiation heart disease, in which radiation to the chest can damage heart valves and blood vessels
Vascular diseases affect the arteries, veins or capillaries throughout the body and around the heart.
They understand:
- peripheral artery discomfortwhich causes narrowing of the arteries and reduces blood flow to the limbs
- aneurysma bulge or enlargement in an artery that may rupture and bleed
- atherosclerosisin which plaque forms along the walls of blood vessels, narrowing them and restricting the flow of oxygen-rich blood
- renal artery disease, which affects blood flow to and from the kidneys and can lead to high blood pressure
- Raynaud’s diseasewhich causes the arteries to spasm and temporarily restrict blood flow
- peripheral venous disease or general damage to the veins that carry blood from the feet and arms to the heart, causing swelling in the legs and varicose veins
- ischemic stroke, in which a blood clot travels to the brain and causes damage
- venous blood clots, which can break loose and become dangerous if they travel to the pulmonary artery
- blood clotting disorders, in which blood clots form too quickly or not quickly enough and lead to excessive bleeding or clotting
- Buerger’s disease, which causes blood clots and inflammation, often in the legs, and can lead to gangrene
Some health problems related to cardiovascular disease can be managed by making lifestyle changes, but some problems can be life-threatening and require emergency surgery.
Symptoms vary depending on the specific condition. Certain conditions, such as Type 2 diabetes Or hypertensionmay initially cause no symptoms.
However, typical symptoms of an underlying cardiovascular problem include:
- pain or pressure in the chest, which may indicate angina
- pain or discomfort in the arms, left shoulder, elbows, jaw, or back
- shortness of breath
- nausea and fatigue
- dizziness or dizziness
- cold sweat
Although they are the most common, cardiovascular diseases can cause symptoms anywhere in the body.
People can take the following steps to prevent some of the conditions linked to cardiovascular disease:
- Managing body weight: The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Disorders advises that if a person loses
5 to 10% of their weightthey can reduce their risk of developing cardiovascular disease. - Exercise regularly: The American Heart Association (AHA) recommends doing
150 minutes of moderate to intense physical activity each week. - Follow a heart-healthy diet: Eat foods containing polyunsaturated fats and Omega 3, such as fatty fish, as well as fruits and vegetables, can support heart health and reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease. Reducing the intake of processed foods, salt, saturated fats and added sugar has a similar effect.
- Stop smoking: Smoking is a key risk factor for almost all forms of cardiovascular disease. Although quitting smoking can be difficult, taking steps to do so can significantly reduce its harmful effects on the heart.
Here, learn more about the benefits of exercise.
The treatment option best suited to a person will depend on their specific type of cardiovascular disease.
However, some options include:
- medicines, for example to reduce low-density lipoproteins cholesterolimprove blood circulation or regulate heart rate
- surgery, such as coronary artery bypass grafting or valve repair or replacement surgery
- cardiac rehabilitation, including exercise prescriptions and lifestyle advice
The treatment aims to:
- relieve symptoms
- reduce the risk of recurrence or worsening of the disease or illness
- prevent complications, such as hospital admission, heart failure, stroke, heart attack or death
Depending on the condition, a doctor may also work to stabilize the heart rate, reduce blockages, and relax the arteries to allow better blood flow.
Researchers reported in the journal JAMA that the lifetime risk of cardiovascular disease is greater than 50% for men and women.
Their study paper notes that even among those with few or no cardiovascular risk factors, the risk remains above 30%.
Risk factors for cardiovascular disease include:
- high blood pressure or hypertension
- atherosclerosis or blockages in the arteries
- radiotherapy
- smoking
- poor sleep hygiene
- high blood cholesterol or hyperlipidemia
- diabetes
- a rich in fat, rich carbohydrates diet
- physical inactivity
- obesity
- Sleep Apnea
- excessive consumption of alcohol
- stress
- air pollution
- chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder or other forms of reduced lung function
People with a cardiovascular risk factor often have more. For example, obesity is a risk factor for high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and type 2 diabetes. A person can have all four conditions at the same time.
Discover ten ways to quit smoking. Keep reading to find out more.
Many types of cardiovascular disease occur
Damage to the circulatory system can also result from diabetes and other health problems, such as a virus, an inflammatory process like myocarditis, or a structural problem present from birth (congenital heart disease).
Cardiovascular disease often results from high blood pressure, which produces no symptoms. It is therefore essential that people are screened regularly for high blood pressure.
Many types of cardiovascular disease are preventable. It is essential to combat risk factors by taking the following measures:
- reduce alcohol and tobacco consumption
- eat fresh fruits and vegetables
- reduce the consumption of salt, sugar and saturated fats
- avoiding a sedentary lifestyle, especially for children
Adopting harmful lifestyle habits, such as eating a high-sugar diet and not getting much physical activity, may not lead to cardiovascular disease while a person is still young because the effects of the disease are cumulative.
However, continued exposure to these risk factors may contribute to the development of cardiovascular disease later in life.
Does aspirin protect a person against cardiovascular disease?
Many people will have taken a aspirin per day as a routine measure to protect against cardiovascular disease. However, current guidelines I no longer recommend this for most people because it can cause bleeding. This risk outweighs any benefit it might bring.
That said, a doctor may suggest aspirin if a person is at high risk of experiencing a cardiovascular event, such as a heart attack or stroke, and low risk of bleeding. Doctors may also recommend it to those who have already had a heart attack or stroke.
Anyone taking a daily dose of aspirin to reduce their risk of cardiovascular disease should ask their doctor whether or not they should continue.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of death worldwide.
In 2016, approximately
Of these, 85% resulted from a heart attack or stroke. These conditions affect equal numbers of men and women.
The WHO estimates that by 2030,
Although these conditions remain prevalent in global mortality rates, people can start taking steps to prevent them.
