Advice for Cardiovascular Disease
By: Robert NamTotal Views: 50, Word Count: 919,
What is a cardiovascular disease?
Cardiovascular disease refers to disease, which affects the heart or the blood vessel system in the person’s body. It does not involve a single disease. In fact, it is a group of more than 60 different disorders.
Heart disease vs. Cardiovascular Disease
Cardiovascular disease and heart disease are different. Heart diseases are referred to diseases related to only the heart and blood vessel system. Whereas, cardiovascular diseases are referred to diseases of the heart and the disease of the entire blood vessel system (arteries, capillaries, and veins) in the person’s body (Brain, legs, lungs and arms). Here ‘cardio’ refers to the heart and ‘vascular’ refers to blood vessel system. Hence, heart diseases can be called as one of the type of cardiovascular disease.
Types of Cardiovascular Disease
There are more than 60 different types of cardiovascular disease. Some people born with cardiovascular disease, others develop it throughout their life times. Following are some of the common cardiovascular diseases include
- Atherosclerosis (hardening of arteries)
- Coronary heart disease( It is popularly known as heart disease)
- Angina
- Heart attack(Myocardial infarction)
- Stroke
- High Blood Pressure (Hypertension)
- Congestive heart failure (heart failure)
- Congenital heart disease( people are born with)
- Cardiomyopathy( a disease affecting heart muscles)
- Heart valve disease
- Myocarditis (Inflammation of heart muscle)
What are the causes of cardiovascular disease?
Any disease, which affects the normal functioning of blood vessels, veins, arteries, and heart, comes under cardiovascular diseases. Cardiovascular disease has become the number one cause for the deaths in the US and European countries. Some of the causes of cardiovascular diseases include:
- Smoking
Often people ignore the statuary warning ‘Smoking is injurious to health’. It is least effective to a smoker unless some serious thing happens to them. Every year, the number of death is increasing drastically. Smoking is harmful for health, since it has leaves of the plant ‘Nicotiana Tabacum’ (Tobacco) in it. When the person smokes, nicotine enters into blood stream and directly goes to brain.
Smoking increases the heartbeat level resulting in high blood pressure. Carbon monoxide presents in tobacco form a carboxyhemoglobin when it combines with hemoglobin. Carboxyhemoglobin decreases the ability of the blood to carry oxygen, which results in narrowing of arteries, blockage of blood vessels and high cholesterol levels. Smoking makes a smooth path for cardiovascular diseases.
- Unhealthy diet
Eating an unhealthy diet is the major cause for the cardiovascular diseases. Fast foods and beverages are very harmful for the heart. They are also responsible for the obesity of the millions of peoples.
- Alcohol and drugs
It has been found that consumption of alcohol helps to increase HDL or maintain good cholesterol level in the body. However, alcoholism can be too dangerous for health. Alcohol addiction can result in high blood pressure, heart failure, and strokes. Drug addiction is another important cause of cardiovascular disease. Frequent addiction results in weakening of the circulatory system.
- Sedentary life style and long work
Sedentary life style and long work hours is the major cause for the cardiac disease. Physical activities and exercise is very necessary for the human body. Swimming, cycling, jogging, and work out should be made a part of your daily routine. Genetics and age can also be the other factor for cardiovascular diseases. Healthy living can eradicate all the problems related to a cardiovascular diseases.
Symptoms of Cardiovascular Disease
Cardiovascular disease affects many different parts of the body. Here are some of the most common symptoms of a cardiovascular disease
- Chest pain, and pain in arms, jaw, back or left shoulder
- Shortness of breath
- Loss of vision or brightness
- Numbness in any part of the body
- Dizziness
- Sever headaches
- Bluing of lips
- Nausea
- Fatigue
- Lack of balance or difficult in talking
Medicine Diagnostic Tests
This is additional information, which does not replace or relate to any conventional diagnosis. Other test may also be useful for the patient depending on the circumstances. Cardiovascular medical treatment includes the following tests
· Cardiovascular risk assessment
· Heavy metal and toxicity assessment
· Vitamin and mineral assessment
· Biochemical test
· Hormone tests
This article will help you to know about the cardiovascular disease. It is extremely important to keep a check on one’s lifestyle, so that one can enjoy the gifts that life has to offer in future.
About the Author
Dr. Robert Nam is a well known heart specialist and has done postgraduate training in cardiology at the national heart hospital, the London chest hospital and UCL hospital, London. He was also engaged in research at the national heart and lung institute. Nowadays he is working as a consultant cardiologist at UCL hospital, London.
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