Cardiovascular disease occurs due to disturbances in the heart and blood vessels. Heart disease and stroke are two of the most widely known cardiovascular diseases, but there are also other cardiovascular diseases.
According to World Health Organization data, cardiovascular disease causes 17.9 million deaths each year. Unhealthy lifestyles, such as eating too many fatty foods, not exercising regularly, smo**king habits, and excessive alco**hol consumption are contributing factors to cardiovascular disease.
Cardiovascular Disease Types
The cardiovascular system has the function of circulating blood throughout the body. When there are disturbances or blockages in both parts, blood circulation in the body can be disrupted and can lead to the onset of various cardiovascular diseases.
Here are the cardiovascular diseases you need to be aware of:
#1. Arrhythmia
Arrhythmia is a condition when the heart has abnormal beats or rhythms, such as too fast, slow, or irregular. Arrhythmia occurs when an electrical impulse that serves as a heart rate control does not work properly.
#2. Coronary heart disease (CHD)
Coronary heart disease is a blockage or narrowing in the coronary artery caused by plaque buildup. This condition reduces the blood supply to the heart. If not treated immediately, CHD can cause heart attacks, arrhythmias, and heart failure.
#3. Cardiomyopathy
Cardiomyopathy is a disorder of the heart muscle. Cardiomyopathy can cause serious complications, such as heart failure, blood clots, cardiac arrest, and heart valve disorders.
#4. Stroke
Stroke is a disease that occurs when the blood supply to the brain is disrupted due to clogging or rupture of blood vessels. Without a sufficient blood supply, the brain will not get oxygen and nutrient intake. As a result, cells in the brain will be damaged.
#5. Deep vein thrombosis (DVT)
Deep vein thrombosis is a condition of the presence of blood clots in the veins. Usually this condition occurs on the thighs and calves. In some cases, these blood clots can flow into the lungs and cause serious complications, such as pulmonary embolism.
#6. Peripheral artery disease
Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) is a condition in which blood flow to the legs is clogged due to the build-up of plaque in the arteries. This makes the legs short of blood supply, causing pain when walking.
#7. Heart attack
A heart attack occurs when blood flow to the heart is clogged with blood clots. The blood clotting can cause the heart muscle to die from not getting enough blood supply. If you don’t get medical help immediately, a heart attack can be fatal to death.
Symptoms include left chest pain such as being hit by a heavy load, pain in the neck, jaw and arms as well as shortness of breath and sweating.
#8. Atherosclerosis
Atherosclerosis is inflammation of blood vessels that occurs when plaque is formed along the walls of blood vessels. This can make blood vessels narrow and make blood flow limited, causing various problems in the body.
The narrowing of these blood vessels can trigger strokes, pulmonary embolism, heart attacks.
#9. Heart valve disease
Heart valve disease is a disease that occurs due to problems or disturbances in one or more of the four heart valves. The problem that can occur, namely that the heart valve is not open enough to drain blood, is not closed properly causing blood to leak, experience swelling or other.
#10. Heart failure.
Heart failure occurs when the heart cannot contract and relax normally so it fails to pump blood throughout the body properly. This condition can cause you to experience swelling and shortness of breath. If left unchecked, of course heart failure will be very dangerous.
#11. Congenital heart disease.
Congenital heart disease is a disease that occurs due to abnormalities in the structure of the heart since it is in the womb. Some may show symptoms at birth, but others only show them in childhood.
In most cases, it is not known exactly why this could happen. However, the typical symptoms can be seen is bluish on the face when the child cries, this does occur not in all congenital heart diseases, for other diseases doctors can detect from hearing the sound of the heart using a stethoscope.
#12. Peripheral vein disease.
Peripheral vein disease occurs when there is damage to the veins that serve to transport blood from the legs and arms to return to the heart. The condition can cause swelling in the legs and the appearance of varicose veins.
Cardiovascular Disease Symptoms
There are many types of cardiovascular disease. Symptoms will vary depending on the specific type of disease the patient has.
Overall, the symptoms vary and are specific to the condition and individual, but there are common symptoms to be aware of. Typical symptoms of underlying cardiovascular problems include:
- Pain or pressure in the chest, which may indicate angina
- Pain or discomfort in the arms, left shoulder, elbow, jaw, or back.
- Shortness of breath, also known as dyspnea.
- Nausea and fatigue
- Dizziness or fainting
- Cold sweat
Source: Video: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
