Cardiovascular Diseases, Symptoms & Treatments

Cardiovascular diseases or CVD are diseases related to the heart, deposition of fats in arteries, or damaged arteries. CVD is one of the prime factors leading to death worldwide. Sticking to a healthy lifestyle would decrease the chances of catching such a disease.

CVDs include angina, heart failure and attacks, aortic disease, stroke, coronary heart disease, and many others. Below we'll look into some types of CVD commonly people are affected globally.

1. Coronary Heart Disease

When the supply of oxygen-rich blood is blocked towards the heart muscle, it gives rise to coronary heart disease. It is one of the greatest causes of death according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. It further leads to several heart disorders which are:

• Angina - A chest pain arising due to restriction of blood flow to the heart muscle.
• Heart Failure - A disorder in which the heart fails to pump blood throughout the body.
• Heart Attacks - Sudden blocking of blood flow to the heart muscle.

2. Strokes

Stroke - a sort of brain damage when the blood supply to the brain is blocked or restricted. The temporarily disrupted supply is often called a mini-stroke or transient ischaemic attack (TIA). Stroke/TIA includes;

• Diabetes.
• High Cholesterol.
• High Blood Pressure.
• Atrial Fibrillation.

3. Peripheral Arterial Disease

Peripheral Arterial Disease is the restricted blood supply to the limbs. The disease is one of the most common vascular diseases in the United States. If not treated on time, it can lead to amputations. PAD includes;

• Constant pain or dull/crampy legs.
• Less hair growth on legs.
• Dullness/numbness.
• Ulcers on feet and legs

4. Aortic Disease

Any disease related to the largest vessel supplying blood across the body - the aorta is called aortic disease. It is one of the life-threatening factors. Aorta may burst or bulge outward risking the whole body's blood supply. A person may feel dizzy, breathlessness, and back/tummy pain when the aorta bursts.

Causes of CVDs

No specific factors are included as a cause of CVD, several things increase the risk of catching any of such diseases. They are; High blood pressure and cholesterol, obesity, inactivity, smoking diabetes, etc. A person with high blood pressure is more likely to have CVD as it damages the blood vessels risking the pumping of blood. Smoking also risks the vessel by narrowing it. High cholesterol means the accumulation of fat in vessels.

All it does is reduce the blood supply and increase the chances of developing a blood clot. Inactivity leads to high cholesterol, and high cholesterol as a result leads to obesity and diabetes which are also risk factors. The high level of sugar in blood narrows the blood vessels.

Symptoms of CVD

Symptoms of CVD include high blood pressure due to narrowing of blood vessels, breathlessness or shortening of breath, chest pain and pressure, pain in the back, upper abdomen, and jaw, numbness in legs and feet, sores on legs, brain damage, dizziness, and drowsiness, etc.

Treatment of CVDs

A healthy lifestyle along with a healthy diet minimizes the risk of being affected by CVD. It's still not too late, stop risking your health and embrace a few notable points to get back on track. Following are the treatment for CVD:

Balanced Diet

It may sound lame but a balanced diet works wonders. Food with less amount of sugar and carbohydrates should be taken. Consumption of plenty of fiber-rich food, fruits, and vegetables minimizes the chances of CVDs.

Quit Smoking & Cut Down Alcohol

Quit smoking without risking your health. Not only CVD but a person could easily catch any chronic disease. Results are extreme and fatal so it's never too late. During its consumption alcohol causes an increase in heart rate and blood pressure. Regular consumption weakens the heart muscle and causes irregular heartbeats.

Regular Exercise

Regular exercises put little strain on the heart and it could considerably and efficiently pump blood across the whole body. It also keeps blood vessels flexible. Lowering the level of cholesterol, medications ensure normal heart pressure and rhythmic heartbeats. It also prevents future heart attacks.

Disclaimer: The contents of this article are intended to raise awareness about common health issues and should not be viewed as sound medical advice for your specific condition. You should always consult with a licensed medical practitioner prior to following any suggestions outlined in this article or adopting any treatment protocol based on the contents of this article.