Cardiovascular disease is a class of diseases that affect the heart or blood vessels (veins and arteries). It can be caused by a combination of socio-economic, behavioral, and environmental risk factors including high blood pressure, unhealthy diet, high cholesterol, diabetes, obesity, tobacco use, kidney disease, physical inactivity, harmful use of alcohol and stress. Family history, ethnic background, sex, and age can also affect a person’s risk of cardiovascular disease.

What are the different types of cardiovascular diseases?

1. HEART DISEASE

Coronary heart disease, sometimes called coronary artery disease or ischemic heart disease, is the most common type of heart disease. It refers to heart problems caused by narrowed coronary arteries that supply blood to the heart muscle. For some people, the first sign of coronary heart disease is a heart attack.

2. HEART ATTACK

A heart attack, or myocardial infarction, occurs when something, usually a blood clot, cuts off the flow of blood to the heart. Without oxygen and nutrients, the heart muscle begins to die. A heart attack may not be fatal, especially if you receive immediate medical attention and treatment, but it can still cause lasting damage to the heart.

3. STROKE

A stroke occurs when the blood supply to the brain is interrupted, causing the brain to lose its vital supply of oxygen and nutrients. A stroke can either be caused by a blood clot in the brain artery or when a blood vessel in the brain bursts and bleeds, damaging the brain tissue.

OTHER CONDITIONS

Arrhythmia – irregular or abnormal heartbeat

Aortic disease (including aortic aneurysm) – a disease that causes the aorta to widen or tear

Cardiomyopathies – diseases of the heart muscle

Congenital heart disease – problems with the heart or blood vessels that exist at birth

Deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism – blood clots in the leg veins, which can break loose and travel to the heart and lungs

Heart failure – when your heart isn’t pumping as well as it should be

Heart valve disease – a disease of the heart valves that keep blood flowing through the heart

Pericardial disease (pericarditis) – inflammation of the thin tissue sac that surrounds the heart

Rheumatic heart disease – damage to the heart muscle and heart valves from rheumatic fever, caused by streptococcal bacteria

Vascular disease (blood vessel disease) – any condition that affects your circulatory system

Peripheral vascular disease (including peripheral arterial disease) – a disease of blood vessels supplying the arms and legs

Cerebrovascular disease – a disease of the blood vessels supplying the brain

What are the symptoms of cardiovascular heart disease?

Symptoms of heart disease vary based on what condition you have and can include:

• Chest pain
• Pain, weakness or numb legs and/or arms
• Breathlessness
• very fast or slow heartbeat, or palpitations
• feeling dizzy, lightheaded or faint
• fatigue
• swollen limbs.

If you experience chest pain, shortness of breath and/or fainting, seek emergency medical care immediately.

What increases my risk of cardiovascular heart disease?

The following risk factors can lead to heart disease.

• High blood pressure makes it harder to pump the blood the vast distance it needs, causing the heart to strain against narrowing vessels, thus leading to damage of the vessels.
• High cholesterol: Cholesterol is a substance that can get “stuck” to the lining of the vessels when there’s too much of it in the blood. When it gets stuck, it causes vessels to narrow, making it difficult to get blood through. Cholesterol can block vessels completely over time.
• Diabetes: Those with diabetes have excess sugar in the bloodstream that causes damage to the blood vessels. For people with diabetes, heart disease is the most common cause of death.
• Lack of exercise: Just like any muscle, if you don’t work it, the heart gets weaker and loses function. Exercise actually causes the blood vessels to dilate, which increases the blood flow to and from the heart. Exercise also strengthens the pumping ability of the heart.
• Obesity: Increased fat around the organs puts pressure on them, which causes damage. Increased fat also makes the heart work harder to reach the organs.
• Heredity: Unfortunately, some are more prone to heart disease due to genetics. The best thing to do if you have a family history of cardiovascular disease is to prevent worsening levels of disease.
• Smoking: We’ve all heard that smoking is bad for us. Smoking increases your heart rate and tightens (constricts) your arteries, which makes your heart work harder.
• Stress and depression: Chronic stress can lead to high blood pressure due to overeating, smoking, difficulty sleeping, anxiety, etc. This increases your risk for heart disease.
• Age: Growing older increases your risk of damaged and narrowed arteries and a weakened or thickened heart muscle.
• Alcohol: Alcohol can cause abnormal heart rhythms, high blood pressure, damage to your heart muscle and other diseases such as stroke, liver problems

What can you do to lower your risk of cardiovascular disease?

According to the World Health Organization, as many as 80% of all heart attacks and strokes are preventable. Keeping an eye on your blood pressure, cholesterol levels and blood sugar levels is very important. Although certain types of heart diseases such as heart defects can’t be prevented, the same lifestyle changes that can improve your heart disease can help you prevent it, they include:

1. EAT A HEALTHY AND BALANCED DIET

Eating a healthy, balanced diet is crucial to maintaining a healthy heart and circulation system. A healthy diet should include a wide variety of unprocessed and fresh foods, including plenty of fruit and vegetables (at least five portions every day), whole grains, nuts and foods low in saturated fats, sugars and salt. Be wary of processed foods, which often contain high levels of salt, and drink lots of water.

2. EXERCISE REGULARLY

It only takes 30 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity, five days a week, to improve and maintain your health. Adults (aged 18-65) and seniors (65+) should aim to do at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity, or at least 75 minutes of high-intensity physical activity, every week. Children and adolescents should do at least 60 minutes of moderate- to vigorous-intensity physical activity every day.

Try to make exercise a regular part of your life: use the stairs instead of the lift, get off the bus a few stops earlier and walk the rest of the way. Being active is also a great way to relieve stress and control your weight, which are both risk factors for cardiovascular disease.

3. MAINTAIN A HEALTHY BODY WEIGHT

Lowering your risk of overweight and obesity normally involves reducing the number of calories consumed from fats and sugars, increasing the portion of daily intake of fruit, vegetables, whole grains and nuts, and exercising regularly. At least 60 minutes of exercise most days a week will help you maintain a healthy body weight.

4. AVOID TOBACCO USE

If you stop smoking, your risk of coronary heart disease will be halved within a year and will return to a normal level over time. Avoid smoke-filled environments: exposure to second-hand smoke significantly increases the risk of heart attack. All forms of tobacco are harmful, and there is no safe level of exposure to tobacco. If you’re having trouble quitting tobacco, talk to your doctor about developing a tailored plan to suit your needs.

5. AVOID ALCOHOL

As with tobacco, there is no safe level for drinking alcohol, and the detrimental effects of alcohol far outweigh any potential protective benefits. While drinking less may reduce your risk of CVD, evidence shows that the ideal situation for health is to not drink at all. Even moderate drinkers notice health benefits when they stop drinking alcohol.

6. YOUR NUMBERS

Knowing your numbers is an important part of keeping your heart healthy. Checking your blood pressure, cholesterol levels and blood sugar levels on a regular basis is important to help determine and control your risk of developing cardiovascular disease.

1. a) Know your blood pressure: High blood pressure, or hypertension, is one of the biggest causes of heart attack and stroke. It usually has no symptoms, so it’s important to get it regularly checked and, if needed, take the necessary measures to lower it, which may include dietary changes, increased physical activity, and medication.
2. b) Know your cholesterol: High levels of cholesterol in your blood also increase your risk of cardiovascular disease, including heart attacks and strokes. Blood cholesterol can normally be controlled through a healthy diet and, if necessary, by appropriate medications.
3. c) Know your blood sugar: High blood sugar, or hyperglycemia, is a common problem for people with diabetes. Higher blood sugar levels increase your risk of heart attacks and strokes, so it’s important to know your numbers and take any necessary precautions to control your blood sugar.

7. TAKE YOUR MEDICATION AS PRESCRIBED

If you have a higher risk of developing heart disease or stroke, you may need to take medication to reduce your risk. These can include statins to lower blood cholesterol levels, low-dose aspirin to prevent blood clots, insulin for diabetes and tablets to reduce blood pressure. Take the medication that your doctor has prescribed and make sure you stick to your regiment.

8. KNOW THE WARNING SIGNS

The sooner assistance is sought, the greater the chances of a full recovery.

Please do see your doctor if you think you are at risk of having a heart disease or are experiencing some symptoms, they would refer you to a Cardiologist. For more enquiries contact us on 08174209999, 08174209990