What is Cardiovascular Disease?
Who is at Risk of
Developing Cardiovascular Disease?
What is Peripheral
Arterial Disease (PAD)?
What is a Stroke or Transient Ischæmic Attack (TIA)?
Cardiovascular disease is the name
given to any disease that affects the heart or blood vessels by restricting the
flow of blood. This occurs when a
build-up of cells, fat and cholesterol, often referred to as ‘plaque’, clogs
the arteries, impeding the free flow of blood.
Over time, the blood vessels become blocked, and a heart attack or stroke
can occur.
Who is at Risk of Developing Cardiovascular Disease?
- There
is an increased risk in people over 65 years of age.
- There
is an increased risk in people whose parents suffered from cardiovascular
disease.
- Men
are more at risk than women.
- People
on poor-quality diets containing high levels of animal fats.
- Obesity
(i.e., overweight by 20% or more) puts a strain on the cardiovascular
system.
- Tobacco
smokers are more at risk than non-smokers.
Below are examples of some of the
different types of cardiovascular disease.
Atherosclerosis is the medical
term for a hardening or thickening of the artery walls. The artery narrows as a result of a build-up
of plaque, which causes a restriction in the flow of blood.
What is Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD)?
Peripheral arterial disease (PAD)
is a form of atherosclerosis involving the arteries in the arms, legs, neck,
kidneys and lower abdomen. This can
cause pain and difficulty in walking.
Hypertension is high blood
pressure, which occurs when the pressure in the arteries is consistently higher
than normal, indicating that the heart is working harder to pump blood through
the circulatory system. High blood
pressure may not produce symptoms until a major organ is damaged. People suffering persistently high blood
pressure are at risk of a heart attack or stroke.
A heart attack occurs when the
blood flow to part of the heart is blocked, usually by a blood clot or a piece
of dislodged plaque. If the blood flow
to the heart is either blocked or significantly reduced for more than a few
minutes, that part of the heart muscle begins to die.
Common symptoms of a heart attack
include: pain, pressure or a squeezing sensation in the centre of the chest
lasting for more than a few minutes; pain radiating out to the shoulders, jaw,
neck or arms; discomfort in the chest accompanied by nausea, heartburn,
sweating, fainting, or a feeling of light-headedness; shortness of breath
Heart failure occurs when the
heart fails to pump blood efficiently, robbing the body of the necessary blood
and oxygen.
Common symptoms of heart failure
include: swelling in the feet, ankles, or legs, often referred to as ‘œdema’; fluid
build-up in the lungs, commonly referred to as pulmonary congestion.
What is a Stroke or Transient Ischæmic Attack (TIA)?
A stroke or transient ischæmic
attack (TIA) occurs when a blood vessel feeding the brain becomes clogged, or
bursts. As a result, that part of the
brain, and the part of the body controlled by it, ceases to function. Three main causes of stroke are uncontrolled
high blood pressure, smoking, and heart disease.
Some symptoms of a stroke or TIA
are: weakness in an arm, hand, or leg; numbness on one side of the face or
body; sudden blindness in one eye; difficulty talking; difficulty understanding
what someone is saying; dizziness or loss of balance; sudden, severe
headache. If any of these symptoms
are experienced, medical attention should be sought immediately.
Cardiovascular disease can be
managed, in some cases, by incorporating healthy lifestyle changes such as
taking regular exercise, watching weight and fat intake, and stopping smoking. People with more serious vascular disease
may require medication or surgery. Diet
can help to prevent cardiovascular disease, and to control it.
Further Reading:-
Articles:
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