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.

Benefits of Quitting Smoking for your Heart

You can do your heart a huge favor by saying goodbye to tobacco regardless of whether you’re a longtime smoker or have just picked up the habit. Remember it’s never too late to quit as far as your heart is concerned because the body starts to heal as soon as you smoke your last cigarette.

The heart rate and blood pressure goes up temporarily every time you inhale cigarette smoke which puts extra stress on the heart thus forcing it to work harder. Some of the other ways that smoking damages over time is it clogs arteries, fills lungs with tar, thickens blood, weakens bones, increases clotting and inflammation and weakens the immune system. See fast results, as fast as just 20 minutes after you stop, your blood pressure and heart rate will go down. Your blood flow will start getting better in 2-3 weeks. Furthermore, your odds of heart disease will go down.

How Smoking Harms your Ticker:

The chemicals in the cigarettes harm the ticker in many ways.

1.      Carbon monoxide (a poisonous gas) enters the lungs and then the bloodstream that steals oxygen from the red blood cells thus less of oxygen gets to your organs and tissues. It also hardens and stiffens the artery walls which can lead to a heart attack.

2.      Nicotine found in both tobacco and e-cigarettes narrows the blood vessels increasing blood pressure and heart rate causing the ticker to pump harder and faster than normal.

3.      Chemical changes in the body is another ill-effect of smoking. Cells in your bloodstream called platelets clump together when they react with toxic cigarette ingredients that makes the blood thicker and stickier making it harder for your heart to push it through your blood vessels.

4.      Smoking raises levels of LDL, or "bad" cholesterol, and a blood fat called triglycerides that cause build up of waxy plaque in your arteries. Simultaneously, it lowers HDL, or "good" cholesterol -- the kind that prevents plaque from forming.

5.      Arteries get stretched and scarred when blood pressure is high like while smoking. Their lining gets damaged that lets growth of plaque and combine with sticky blood cells which raises risk for blood clots that can block oxygenated blood flow to your ticker or other vital organs. That can eventually cause heart attack and strokes.

6.      Apart from damaging lungs, smoking makes it harder to breathe too that can keep you from the usual exercising that is required.

Benefits of Quitting Smoking:

Fortunately, most of the damage caused by tobacco is reversible. The risk of blood clot gets lower when you quit. Your “good” cholesterol will go up and “bad” cholesterol will go down that’ll slow down the buildup of new plaque deposits. Within two weeks after quitting, you’ll come to realize it's easier to exercise without feeling short of breath. You’ll be able to breathe deeply again over the next few months. Many individuals swap food for smoking when they first quit that may lead to putting on a few pounds first. Do not worry about it, your body will get accustomed to a smoke-free life after a little while. You’d easily be able to get your weight under control with regular exercise and following a healthy diet.

Cut your risk of having a second heart attack in half if you give up cigarettes after a first one. After a bypass surgery, you can keep your arteries healthy and help prevent further clogs and disease by quitting smoking. Furthermore, you'll also protect your friends and family from the health risks of secondhand smoke.

Consult with your doctor for suggestions on how to end your tobacco habit.

Proper application of the CPR procedure can contribute towards the safety of cardiac arrest victims. Select a certified training center for acquiring training such as, AHA certified CPR Nashville in Tennessee. For more information, or to sign up for a course, contact CPR Nashville on 615-397-9316.

Symptoms, Risks and Treatment Options for Heart Valve Problems

Any problem related to your ticker can seem overwhelming at first, but recovery statistics are very good for individuals who receive timely treatment. According to the American Heart Association, each year about 5 million Americans are diagnosed with heart valve disease which occurs when the valves do not work the way they should. At the exit of each of your four heart chambers lies the heart valves that maintain one-way blood flow through your ticker. The four valves ensure that blood always flows freely in a forward direction and that there is no backward leakage.

Types of Cardiac Valve Disease:

Valvular Stenosis which occurs when a valve doesn’t open fully due to stiff or fused leaflets and valvular insufficiency, also called regurgitation, incompetence, or "leaky valve," which occurs when a valve doesn’t close tightly.

Causes:

Cardiac valve disease can develop before birth or can be acquired sometime in one’s lifetime. Sometimes, the cause is unknown. Some causes of valve disease include coronary artery disease, heart attack, cardiomyopathy (heart muscle disease), high blood pressure, aortic aneurysms, and connective tissue diseases.  Less common causes include tumors, some types of drugs and radiation.

Acquired Valve Disease- The disease includes problems that develop with valves that were once normal which mostly involves changes in the structure of the valve which can be due to several diseases or infections, such as rheumatic fever or endocarditis.

Congenital Valve Disease- The aortic or pulmonic valve gets affected.

Bicuspid Aortic Valve Disease- This congenital valve disease affects the aortic valve. The bicuspid aortic valve has only two leaflets or cusps instead of the normal three leaflets or cusps. The valve may be stiff or leaky without the third leaflet.

Heart Valve Disease Symptoms:

Symptoms can include

Shortness of Breath- You may experience shortness of breath when you are active or just lying down flat in bed.

Chest Discomfort- With activity (doing your normal daily activities) or when going out in cold air, you may feel a pressure or weight in your chest.

Palpitations- Palpitations are felt like a rapid heart rhythm, irregular heartbeat, skipped beats, or a flip-flop feeling in your chest.

Sudden Weight Gain- You may gain weight of one or three pounds in one day.

Dizziness- Dizziness can occur and passing out may be a symptom, in some cases. You may feel weakness in carrying out your normal routine activities.

Swelling- Swelling of your ankles, abdomen, or feet is called edema. Swelling in your belly may make you feel bloated.

Heart valve disease symptoms do not always relate to the seriousness of your condition as you may have no symptoms at all and have serious valve disease, necessitating prompt treatment.

Risks:

Valvular disease has become an increasing problem in the recent years although the population of people affected by valvular disease is considerably smaller than the number of people who’ve more common conditions like coronary artery disease, high blood pressure, etc.

Valvular disease is more common among older people as with age, our heart valves can become lined with calcium deposits that can cause the valve flaps to thicken and become stiffer. Today people are living longer in the face of increased attention on prevention and improved quality of medical care. Heart problems that increases the likelihood for developing valve problems include a heart attack, heart failure, arrhythmia, or previous heart valve conditions from birth (called congenital heart defects). People who have had rheumatic fever or a case of infective endocarditis are also at higher risk.

Treatment Options:

Some people go on living long and full lives with mild valvular problems without requiring surgery. But a heart valve is likely to require a repair or replacement once a valve starts to affect the ticker’s ability to pump blood. The available treatment options for a diseased heart valve include valve repair or replacement. A doctor may prescribe medications to treat your symptoms and to lessen the chance of further valve damage.

Hope, you find this information to be useful.

To learn the life-saving CPR procedure for efficiently facing cardiac emergencies, either register online or call CPR Nashville on 615-397-9316 to join a course.

Correct Way to Perform CPR on a Cardiac Arrest Victim

A cardiac arrest is a life-threatening emergency, it’s crucial to call 911 and start CPR with immediate effect. Cardiopulmonary resuscitation is an emergency lifesaving procedure performed when the ticker stops beating. Immediate administration of the CPR procedure can double or triple chances of survival after cardiac arrest. Significance of the procedure lies in the fact that it keeps the blood flow active (even partially) that extends the chance for a successful resuscitation once emergency medical service arrive on site.

CPR is a crucial step in the AHA’s chain of survival with the five links in the AHA’s chain of survival being

1.      Cardiac arrest recognition and emergency response system activation (calling 911).

2.      Prompt CPR application with emphasis on chest compressions.

3.      Rapid defibrillation

4.      Basic and advanced emergency medical services.

5.      Advanced life support and post cardiac arrest care.

Strong Chain of Survival improves chances of survival and recovery for victims of cardiac arrest.

For an American HeartAssociation CPR class Nashville, you can sign up at the AHA certified CPR Nashville. Both theoretical and practical training are imparted to the students. There are courses for both healthcare and non-healthcare providers.

Follow these steps to learn how to perform CPR:

Shake and Shout to Check Responsiveness- Do check for danger and look for risks before you start helping when you come across someone who’s unconscious. Check for the responsiveness of the victim by gently shaking the victim’s shoulders and ask loudly whether he/she is alright. If someone is close by, ask them to stay. On the other hand, if you are all by yourself with the victim, attract attention by shouting loudly but don’t leave the person.

Check for Breathing- A person involved in a cardiac arrest won’t be breathing, or won’t be breathing normally, they also will be unconscious. Check if the victim on your hand is breathing normally which can be done by checking for regular chest movements, listening for breathing and feeling for breath on your cheek. Do not mistake gasps for normal breathing. If you aren’t sure if their breathing is normal, take it as not normal. Put the victim in the recovery position and call 911 if the person is breathing normally. Open their airway if breathing isn’t normal. Open the airway by placing one hand on the person’s forehead, gently tilting their head back, then lifting their chin using two fingers of your other hand under their chin.

Call 911- Ask someone to call 911 immediately and ask for an ambulance or ask someone for a public access defibrillator (PAD) if the person isn’t breathing or breathing normally. If there’s no one to help, call 911 prior to starting CPR. Start with 30 chest compressions at a rate of 100 to 120 chest compressions per minute – that’s around 2 per second. Give two rescue breaths which should take no longer than five seconds. Check for the rise and fall of the person’s chest while performing breaths.

Carry on until Ambulance Arrives- Repeat 30 compressions and two rescue breaths. If you’d rather not give rescue breaths, call 911 and deliver hands-only CPR. It’s better than doing nothing. Carry on until professional help arrives and takes over, or the person starts to show signs of regaining consciousness, such as coughing, opening their eyes, speaking, or breathing normally.

At CPR Nashville, either register for a course online or call on 615-397-9316 for registration.

Heart Disease Causes for Individuals and Nashville CPR Classes

Heart disease causes vary by type of heart disease. It is one of the leading contributors to the occurrence of a cardiac arrest or heart attack. These are life-threatening emergencies. A victim would require immediate treatment for survival. The best way to handle out-of-hospital cardiac emergencies is by getting CPR trained at an accredited training site like the AHA certified CPR Nashville in Tennessee. Both theoretical and practical training are imparted to the students by certified instructors. It’s advisable that you undergo training to contribute towards the safety of cardiac arrest victims as it is far better to do something than to do nothing at all if you're fearful that your knowledge or abilities aren't 100 percent complete.

Causes of Heart Disease:

Cardiovascular Disease causes- Heart disease describes a range of conditions that affect the heart whereas cardiovascular disease refers to conditions that involve narrowed or blocked blood vessels that can cause heart attack (myocardial infarction), chest pain or stroke. The term “cardiovascular disease” is often used to mean damage to the heart or blood vessels by atherosclerosis which is a buildup of fatty plaques in the arteries which thickens and stiffens artery walls over time and can inhibit blood flow through the arteries to the organs and tissues. Atherosclerosis is the most common cause which can be caused by unhealthy diet, lack of exercise, being overweight and smoking which are all correctible problems.

Arrhythmia Causes- Congenital heart defects (defects in the ticker one is born with), high blood pressure, coronary artery disease, diabetes, smoking, drug abuse, stress, valvular heart disease, consumption of caffeine or alcohol in excess, etc. are some of the common causes of abnormal heart rhythms or conditions that can cause the same.

It’s unlikely for a fatal abnormal heart rhythm to develop in an individual with a normal, healthy ticker without outside triggers like an electrical shock or use of illegal drugs which is essentially because a healthy person’s ticker is free from any abnormal conditions that can lead to an arrhythmia such as an area of scarred tissue.

Heart Infection causes- Bacteria, viruses and parasites are the most common causes of heart infection. For example, endocarditis (a ticker infection) occurs when an irritant, such as a bacterium, virus or chemical reaches the heart muscle.

Congenital Heart Defects- It usually develops when the baby is in the womb. Ticker defects can also develop with the development of the heart, about a month after conception, etc. which can also be caused by some medical conditions, medications and genes may also play a role. Adults can also develop heart defects as your ticker’s structure can change as you age which can cause a defect.

Causes of Valvular Heart Disease- There are many causes of diseases of your cardiac valves. One may be born with valvular disease, or conditions like rheumatic fever, connective tissue disorders, infections may damage the valves.

Adopt healthy lifestyle measures to keep heart disease and cardiac emergencies at bay.

For more information or to sign up for a CPR class, contact CPR Nashville on 615-397-9316.

Significance of AED for a Cardiac Arrest Victim and AHA CPR Classes in Nashville

If you have severe cardiovascular disease, you are at risk of a sudden cardiac arrest (SCA). In cardiac arrest, the heart abruptly stops beating which can result in the person’s death without prompt intervention. The main symptoms are unresponsiveness and loss of consciousness. This is a life-threatening medical emergency that needs immediate CPR or use of a defibrillator. The immediate cause of most SCAs is an abnormal heart rhythm (ventricular fibrillation). The ticker’s electrical activity becomes chaotic, and it’s not able to pump blood to the rest of the body.

CPR is a life-saving technique that comprise chest compressions and rescue breaths that can keep oxygenated blood flowing to the brain and other vital organs until more definitive medical treatment can restore a normal heart rhythm. AEDs or Automated External Defibrillators resuscitate you only if you have a specific type of heart rhythm problem like ventricular fibrillation.

For an American HeartAssociation CPR class Nashville, sign up at the AHA certified CPR Nashville. Training in AED is imparted in the CPR classes.

Significance of AEDs:

1.      AEDs are used to revive someone from SCA which usually occurs with a disruption in the ticker's electrical activity that causes the heart to beat dangerously fast (ventricular tachycardia) or irregularly (ventricular fibrillation) and your heart is not able to pump effectively. The abnormal heart rhythm stops blood flow to your brain and other vital organs, usually resulting in death or permanent damage to your brain and other organs if not treated within minutes. So, the sooner your ticker’s rhythm is restored the better.

2.      If the abnormal rhythm is ventricular fibrillation or ventricular tachycardia and an AED is nearby, a bystander in a public place or a family member at home can attach the self-sticking pads to the victim’s chest. The device then reads the rhythm and sends an electrical current to the ticker if an electric shock can correct the rhythm. The jolt can restore your ticker to a normal rhythm and possibly save your life if used within minutes.

3.      CPR after cardiac arrest can keep oxygen-rich blood flowing to the ticker and brain for a time. Along with defibrillation, together they improve a victim’s chances of survival.

Using an AED Device:

The device is very easy to use although training is imparted in the CPR classes itself provided you choose a certified training center.

1.      Prior to using AED on a victim, call 911 to get help on the way. Then perform CPR before turning on the device and start resuscitation again after delivering the shock if resuscitation is needed.

2.      The AEDs also provide step-by-step voice instructions which lucidly explains how to check for breathing and a pulse and how to position electrode pads on the victim’s chest.

3.      After the pads are in place, the device measures the victim’s heart rhythm and determines if a shock is needed. The device is programmed to not deliver a shock if it isn’t needed.

Most public places have this device. You can also purchase a home AED which can save precious minutes in reviving a person with ventricular fibrillation.

Join a CPR course at CPR Nashville and gain the benefits. For more information, call on 615-397-9316.

Benefits of Berries for your Heart and List of Best of the Berry Crop

Berry cannot be beaten when it comes to foods that not only taste great but also are great for your heart. All kinds of berries are rich in antioxidants which are substances found in certain foods that help fight cell damage. Not only the heart, antioxidants work everywhere in the body and are best consumed in real, whole foods especially colorful fruits and vegetables. Berries are the most versatile sources of phytonutrients (plant-based chemical compounds) although different types of berries have different qualities and amounts of these nutrients. Experts suggest mixing them up in the diet. Berries contain sugar so it’s advisable to eat them in moderation. Go for fresh or frozen rather than dried as dried berries have more sugar and have 20 percent as many phytonutrients. Eating berries can keep your heart in good shape and keep cardiovascular disease at bay.

Get CPR trained to efficiently handle out-of-hospital cardiac emergencies like a life-threatening cardiac arrest. Choose a certified training site for acquiring training such as the AHA certified CPR Nashville in Tennessee. Sign up for a CPR course according to your professional background as there are courses for both healthcare and non-healthcare providers.

Here’s a lowdown on the best of the berry crop:

Strawberries- Their bright, red color ensures that you’ll consume a rich variety of nutrients. When searching for berries, look for the ones that are red all over as they have more antioxidants. Go for organics.

Blueberries- These are easy-to-find ones that contain many different types of phytonutrients. They also contain more sugar than other berries. June to August is the season for these berries, buy enough to freeze for later. To keep them fresh even longer, add some Vitamin C powder. Don’t rinse them until you’re ready to use.

Blackberries- These are the most underrated. People don’t know that they are among the berries highest in antioxidants and fiber and have been less cultivated than blueberries. The berries are seasonal in late spring and summer. You can store them in the crisper section of your refrigerator and eat within a few days.

Raspberries, cranberries and golden berries are some of the other great berry choices.

When it comes to the most nutritious one out of all kinds of berries, black raspberries are considered the best although all of them are healthy choices. Black raspberries provide very high antioxidant levels along with fiber and relatively little natural sugar and are the most nutrient dense. Blackberries and their cousins, marionberries are a close second.

Eat well and keep your ticker in good shape for a long life.

At CPR Nashville, you can either sign up for a course online or call on 615-397-9316 for the same.