Information and facts on Cardiovascular Disease

 

Over 50 million, Americans have heart and cardiovascular related problems. It is the number one cause of  death in the United States. By the time that cardiovascular heart problems are detected it is often too late. Cardiovascular diseases include: aneurysm, angina, arrhythmia, cardiac arrest, cardiomegaly, heart attack,  cardiomyopathy, carditis, endocarditis, heart failure, congestive heart failure, high blood pressure, cardio disorder, hypertension, rapid pulse, and arteriosclerosis. The best prevention of cardiovascular disease by  not smoking, reducing cholesterol levels, reducing stress, if overweight losing weight, and good nutritional supplementation with vitamins, minerals, and omega fatty acids.

The human body's cardiovascular system is made up of the heart and all blood vessels. Blood is pumped by the heart and circulated thru the body via the blood vessels. Cardiovascular disease is the leading health problem in most of the world today. It is the number ONE cause of death in the USA, killing over 1 million people every year. Over 50 million Americans are afflicted with some type heart and blood vessel disease, however most do not know it because they have no symptoms. The arteries that supply blood to the heart are known as coronary arteries. If the heart's blood vessels narrow, the amount of blood they supply to the heart may be too low to provide oxygen the heart requires. This oxygen deprivation is what causes a type of chest pain known as angina pectoris. Angina is indicated by a tight and heavy pain in the chest region, normally after some type of work. The pain usually goes away with rest. If the coronary arteries that carry oxygen and nutrients to the heart muscle become obstructed, the flow of blood is stopped completely, and a heart attack, or myocardial infarction, can happen, causing damage to the heart muscle. 

Arteriosclerosis, or hardening of the arteries, and the presence of a thrombus, or clot, in a blood vessel are the most frequent causes of obstruction. Arteriosclerosis is the major cause of deaths from heart attacks. Spasms of the coronary arteries may also result in a heart attack. A heart attack may feel as if somebody is applying strong pressure to the chest. This pain can last for several minutes, often extending to the shoulder, arm, neck, or jaw. Other signs of heart attack include sweating, nausea, vomiting, shortness of breath, dizziness, fainting, feelings of anxiety, difficulty swallowing, sudden ringing in the ears, and loss of speech. The amount and type of chest pain vary from one person to another. Some people have very intense pain, while others feel only mild discomfort. Many mistake the signs of a heart attack for indigestion. Some people have no symptoms at all, a problem known as a "silent" heart attack. 

Hypertension or high blood pressure is often a precursor to heart problems. Hypertension is a very common form of cardiovascular disease. It usually results from a decrease in the elasticity or a reduction in the interior diameter of the arteries, which may be caused by arteriosclerosis, defects in sodium metabolism, stress, nutritional deficiencies, and enzyme imbalances. Kidney disease, hyperthyroidism, disorders of the pituitary or adrenal glands, and the use of oral contraceptives can also lead to hypertension, and heredity genetics may be a factor. Because it is essentially painless, especially in the early stages, many people don't even know they have it hence the term "silent killer." By the time hypertension causes complications that result in symptoms including:  rapid pulse, shortness of breath, dizziness, headaches, and sweating, the disorder is more difficult to treat. Untreated hypertension is the leading cause of stroke, and also greatly increases the risk of heart attack, heart failure, and kidney failure. Other types of cardiovascular disease include heart failure, arrhythmias, and valvular disease. 

While a heart attack occurs because of an interruption in blood flow to the heart, heart failure is characterized by inadequate blood flow from the heart-the heart fails to pump enough blood to meet the body's needs. Symptoms include fatigue, poor color, shortness of breath, and edema (swelling due to the accumulation of fluid in the body's tissues), especially around the ankles. Arrhythmias are disturbances in the normal rhythm of the heartbeat. There are different kinds of arrhythmias. Some are quite dangerous even immediately life threatening while others may be merely annoying (or scarcely noticeable ), and pose no particular danger. Valvular disease is a term for disorders that impair the functioning of one or more of the heart's valves. It may be caused by congenital defect, or it may be the consequence of illness such as rheumatic fever or endocarditis or infection of the heart muscle. 

Unfortunately, despite new technology for both diagnosis and treatment of heart conditions, the first sign of cardiovascular disease may already be a life threatening event. Problems of the cardiovascular system are often very far advanced before they become symptomatic and it can be too late so prevention is the best idea. An estimated 25% of people who have heart attacks have no previous symptoms of heart trouble. Each minute, a person in the USA dies of a heart attack. Cardiovascular disease is not the normal result of aging. Many preventive measures can be taken to avoid heart disease. Controllable factors that can contribute to heart disease include smoking, high blood pressure, elevated serum cholesterol, a type-A personality, stress, obesity , a sedentary lifestyle "couch potato", and diabetes. You can alter your lifestyle, diet, and nutritional supplementation to keep your heart happy, healthy and alive.

All information presented on these web pages is not meant to diagnose, prescribe, or to administer to any physical ailments.
In all matters related to your health please contact a qualified, licensed Medical Consultant or Doctor.