Cardiovascular DiseasesĀ and Arterial Causes, diagnosis, and treatment
What are cardiovascular diseases
Cardiovascular diseases are a group of diseases that affect the heart and blood vessels.
These diseases can affect one or many parts of the heart and blood vessels. A person may be symptomatic (physically suffering from the disease) or asymptomatic (not feeling anything at all).
Cardiovascular diseases include heart or vascular problems , including:
- Narrowing of blood vessels in the heart, other organs, or throughout the body.
- Cardiovascular problems that are present at birth.
- Heart valves that are not working properly.
- Arrhythmia of the heart.
Ā Causes of cardiovascular diseases
The causes of cardiovascular diseases can vary depending on several factors, for example, atherosclerosis (accumulation of plaque in the arteries) causes coronary artery disease and peripheral artery disease. It can also cause scarring of the heart muscle, genetic problems or medications and cardiac arrhythmias.
Aging, infections, and rheumatic diseases can also cause valve diseases.
Risk factors for cardiovascular diseases
You may be at higher risk of developing cardiovascular disease if you have Risk Factors of the following:
- High blood pressure
- High cholesterol (hyperlipidemia)
- Smoking (including electronic cigars)
- Diabetes mellitus of the second type.
- Family history of heart disease
- Lack of physical activity.
- Overweight or obesity
- Eat high percentages of foods that contain sodium, sugar and fat
- Excessive use of alcohol
- Misuse of medicines
- Preeclampsia or blood poisoning
- Gestational diabetes
- Chronic infections or autoimmune diseases
- Chronic kidney disease
Ā Symptoms of cardiovascular disease
Symptoms of cardiovascular disease can vary depending on the cause. Older people and female appointees at birth may have more accurate symptoms. However, there is still a likelihood that anyone will develop serious cardiovascular disease.
Symptoms of heart problems include:
- Chest pain (angina)
- Chest pressure, weight or discomfort, sometimes described as “chest weight”
- Shortness of breath
- Dizziness or fainting
- Fatigue or fatigue
Symptoms of blockage of blood vessels throughout the body include:
- Pain or cramps in the legs when walking.
- Leg ulcers that do not heal.
- Feeling of cold or redness on the legs.
- Swelling of the legs.
- Numbness of the face or one of your limbs. This may be on only one side of your body.
- Difficulty speaking, seeing, or walking.
Cases confirming the development of cardiovascular diseases
There are many different cardiovascular disease conditions, including but not limited to:
- Arrhythmia: a problem with the electrical conduction system of your heart, which can lead to irregular heartbeats or heart rates.
- Valvular diseases: tightening or leaking of your heart valves (structures that allow blood to flow from one room to another in the heart or a blood vessel).
- Coronary artery disease: a problem with the blood vessels of your heart, such as a blockage.
- Heart failure: a problem with the heart’s pumping functions of blood, which leads to fluid accumulation and shortness of breath.
- Peripheral artery disease: a problem with the blood vessels of the arms, legs, or abdominal organs, such as narrowing or blockage.
- Aortic disease: a problem with the large blood vessels that direct blood from your heart to your brain and the rest of your body, such as an aneurysm.
- Congenital heart disease: a heart problem that you are born with, which can affect different parts of your heart.
- Pericardial disease: a problem with the lining of your heart, including pericarditis and pericardial effusion.
- Cerebrovascular disease: a problem with the blood vessels that deliver blood to your brain, such as narrowing or blockage.
- Deep vein thrombosis (DVT): blockages in your veins, vessels that return blood from your brain/body to your heart.
Diagnosis of cardiovascular diseases
Your doctor will do a physical examination and ask questions about your symptoms, personal health and family health history.
They may also order tests to help diagnose cardiovascular disease.
Some common tests for diagnosing cardiovascular diseases include:
- A blood test for substances that indicate cardiovascular health, such as cholesterol, blood sugar levels, and certain proteins. Your doctor can use a blood test to check for blood clotting problems as well.
- Ankle-brachial index that compares blood pressure in the ankles and arms to diagnose peripheral artery disease.
- An electrocardiogram to measure the electrical activity of your heart.
- Mobile monitoring using wearable devices tracks heart rhythm and rates.
- Echocardiogram to create a picture of your heartbeat and blood flow.
- Ultrasound to check the blood flow in your legs or neck.
- Computed tomography of the heart X-ray and computer processing to create 3-D images of the heart and blood vessels.
- MRI of the heart through radio waves to create very detailed images of your heart.
- Computed tomography to see the blood vessels in your legs, head and neck.
- Analyze stress tests and how physical activity affects your heart in a controlled environment, using exercise or medication, to determine how your heart responds. This type of test can include electrocardiograms and imaging tests.
- A cardiac catheter (a thin, hollow tube) is used to measure the pressure and blood flow in your heart.
Treatment of cardiovascular diseases
Treatment plans can vary depending on the symptoms and the type of cardiovascular disease you are experiencing. Treatment of cardiovascular diseases may include:
- Lifestyle changes: examples include changing your diet, increasing your physical activity, quitting smoking or tobacco products (including e-cigars).
- Medications: your doctor may prescribe medications to help manage cardiovascular disease. The type of medication depends on the type of cardiovascular disease you have.
- Surgeries: if medications are not enough, your doctor may use certain procedures or surgeries to treat cardiovascular diseases. Examples include stenting in the arteries of the heart or leg, minimally invasive heart surgery, open heart surgery, resection, or cardioversion.
- Cardiac rehabilitation: you may need a monitored exercise program to help your heart get stronger.
- Active monitoring: you may need careful monitoring over time without medications, procedures, or surgeries.
How can you prevent the development of cardiovascular diseases
You cannot prevent some types of cardiovascular diseases, such as congenital heart disease. But lifestyle changes can reduce the risk of developing many types of cardiovascular diseases.
You can reduce cardiovascular risk by:
- Avoid smoking
- Control other health conditions, such as Type 2 diabetes, high cholesterol or high blood pressure.
- Achieve and maintain a healthy weight.
- Follow a diet low in saturated fat and sodium.
- Exercise at least 30 to 60 Minutes a day from us for a sport or a walk
- Reduce and manage stress.
Do cardiovascular diseases increase the risk of other diseases?
Untreated cardiovascular diseases can lead to serious complications so if you have cardiovascular disease, you may be at a higher risk of:
- Heart attack.
- Ischemic stroke.
- Acute limb ischemia (sudden blockage of the leg arteries).
- Aortic dissection.
- Sudden cardiac death.
When should I see my doctor
Cardiovascular disease is often easier to treat when your doctor finds out about it early.
That’s why it’s important to have a comprehensive heart exam every six months or every year.
Doctors can detect cardiovascular problems before symptoms begin. If you have any signs of cardiovascular disease, you should immediately see a doctor.
