Cardiovascular Diseases
Cardiovascular diseases CVDs, commonly known as heart diseases, refer to a wide range of disorders that affect the heart and the blood vessels that supply blood to the heart. CVDs are the leading cause of many deaths in the United States and all over the world, accounting for one of every four deaths.
There is quite a wide range of cardiovascular diseases, but the most common types include;
• Coronary Artery Disease (CAD)
It is the most common heart condition that affects the arteries that supply blood to the heart muscles. It is caused by the hardening of the arteries, a condition known as atherosclerosis. As a result, the arteries may get blocked, lowering, or completely cutting off the supply of oxygen and nutrients to the heart.
• Arrhythmia, which is an abnormality in heart rhythm.
• Cardimyotherapy, a condition that causes the heart muscles to weaken affecting how they contract and relax, pumping blood to the heart muscles and other parts of the body.
• Congenital heart defects. These are irregularities of the heart that are presented during birth.
• Heart attack. A heart attack occurs when there is a complete blockage in the arteries depriving the supply of blood to the heart muscles, and hence, they die.
Causes and Risk factor
Heart diseases are caused by damage to various parts of the heart, including the coronary arteries. However, some CVDs like hypertrophic cardiomyopathy are genetic and inherited from parents to siblings.
Heart diseases do not discriminate and can affect people of all ages across all races and genders. However, there are certain lifestyle choices and conditions that increase the risk of getting heart disease. These include; smoking, overweight and obesity, high blood pressure and cholesterol, diabetes, and age.
Symptoms of CVDs
Symptoms are not uniform but vary depending on each heart condition. Some conditions like hypertension and type two diabetes may have no symptoms in the initial stages. However, typical symptoms of CVDs include shortness of breath, pain in the chest region, cold sweats, pain or discomfort in the arms, the left shoulder, elbows, jaw, or back, nausea and fatigue, and dizziness.
Prevention and Treatment
While some of the CVDs occur naturally, most of them can be prevented and managed by maintaining a healthy lifestyle through;
i. Maintaining a healthy body weight. Obesity ranks among the leading causes of multiple CVDs.
ii. Maintaining a healthy body weight through a healthy diet and regular exercises lower the risk of developing heart disease.
iii. Avoid smoking. Smoking is associated with multiple cases of CVDs and is believed to have direct damaging effects on the heart.
Treatment may involve surgery that focuses on repair or replacement of the valves. The medication option includes drugs that work by lowering the density of lipoprotein cholesterol, allowing better blood flow within the body. However, adopting a healthy lifestyle remain the best way to prevent and manage cardiovascular diseases.
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