Treatment, Symptoms and Causes of Cardiovascular Disease

Cardiovascular or circulatory system supplies the body with oxygen-rich blood and consists of the heart, arteries, veins and capillaries. There are several types of cardiovascular disease such as angina (both a cardiac and vascular disease), congenital heart disease, coronary artery disease (affects the arteries that feeds the heart muscle), heart attack (myocardial infarction), dilated cardiomyopathy, heart failure (HF- when the ticker doesn’t work properly), arrhythmia (there’s an irregular heartbeat or heart rhythm), mitral regurgitation, mitral valve prolapse, pulmonary stenosis, rheumatic heart disease (it can be a complication of strep throat).

Vascular diseases like peripheral artery disease, atherosclerosis, aneurysm, renal artery disease, peripheral venous disease, Raynaud's disease (rare disorder of the blood vessels, usually in the fingers and toes), Buerger's disease (inflammation and thrombosis in small and medium-sized blood vessels, typically in the legs and leading to gangrene), stroke, venous blood clots, blood clotting disorders- affect the blood vessels (the arteries, veins and capillaries).

Causes:

Atherosclerosis, when fatty deposits accumulate in the arteries- is one of the most important causes of cardiovascular disease. Circulatory system damage can also result from diabetes and as the result of other health conditions, such as a virus, an infection, or a structural problem that the individual was born with that often involves high blood pressure, which again can be both a cause and a result of cardiovascular disease.

Risk Factors:

High blood pressure, high blood cholesterol, radiation therapy, smoking, inadequate sleep, diabetes, diets high in fat combined with carbohydrates, physical inactivity, consumption of too much alcohol, air pollution, chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder (COPD) and reduced lung function and stress are some of the risk factors associated with cardiovascular disease. Atherosclerosis and hypertension are the most common cardiovascular disease risk factors.

Symptoms:

Symptoms vary depending on the specific type of disease a patient has with some typical symptoms of an underlying cardiovascular issue being chest pain or pressure which may indicate angina, shortness of breath, nausea and fatigue, light-headedness, cold sweat, pain discomfort in the arms, the left shoulder, elbows, jaw, or back. These are the most common symptoms although symptoms vary and are specific to the condition and the individual.

Treatment:

Treatment depends on the type of condition the person has. Main goal of treatment is to relieve symptoms, prevent complications and reduce the risk of the condition recurring or worsening. Treatment options include medication, for instance, to reduce LDL cholesterol or blood pressure; surgery, such as coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG); lifestyle changes, such as exercising, quitting smoking and dietary changes and cardiac rehabilitation. Treatment may also aim to stabilize heart rhythms, reduce blockages, and widen the arteries to enable a better flow of blood depending on one’s condition.

Prevention:

Fortunately, majority of CVDs are preventable. You need to address your risk factors. For example, reduce salt intake (higher risk for hypertension), consume less alcohol and tobacco, avoid sedentary lifestyle and eat plenty of fruits and vegetables.

Having cardiovascular disease increases the risk of life-threatening cardiac emergencies like a cardiac arrest or heart attack. Get CPR trained and face these emergencies efficiently. To join a CPR course, contact CPR Nashville on 615-397-9316.