According to WHO data, cardiovascular diseases are the most significant cause of death globally. However, according to the WHO, most of these deaths could have been avoided by changing habits. In other words, cardiovascular diseases are not a death sentence because they can be avoided. But there needs to be a profound change in practices and regular monitoring with the Cardiologist with full range of cardiac care.
What Are Cardiovascular Diseases?
Cardiovascular diseases are those that affect the cardiovascular system. In other words, they are diseases that affect both the heart and blood vessels. They usually affect people over 50 years old and with unhealthy habits.
What Are The Most Common Cardiovascular Diseases?
They are divided into two large groups: those who do not have symptoms and those who do.
Present Symptoms
The cardiovascular diseases that present symptoms are:
Angina
Angina happens when the heart muscle does not get enough oxygen. It could be a symptom of a more severe illness. But she is a critical illness too and needs urgent care.
Symptoms
It is characterized by pain or discomfort in the chest with pressure.
Cerebral Vascular Accident (CVA)
A stroke is a blockage or rupture of blood vessels; usually, that deliver oxygen to the brain. Today, there are about 150 thousand cases per year. Furthermore, there are two types of strokes: ischemic and hemorrhagic.
Ischemic Stroke
Ischemic stroke is characterized by obstructing blood vessels carrying blood to the brain. It is the most common and has the most excellent chance of recovery. Although ischemic stroke is more common, it is necessary to go to the doctor and seek urgent care. After all, the sooner treatment with full range of cardiac care is started, the greater the chances of recovery without sequelae.
Symptoms
Its main symptoms are:
- Tingling on one side of the body;
- Facial paralysis;
- speech difficulty;
- Headache;
- Vertigo;
- Partial or complete loss of vision;
- Difficulty walking.
Hemorrhagic Stroke
In hemorrhagic stroke, however, one or more cerebral blood vessels rupture. This fact causes a hemorrhage (bleeding) in some of the nervous system points. Hemorrhagic stroke is not as common as ischemic stroke, but it has a much higher mortality risk.
Symptoms
- Sudden paralysis of one side of the body;
- Headache that verges on the unbearable;
- Sleepiness episodes and seizures may occur;
- Fainting;
- Visual changes;
- Loss of speech.
Heart Attack
A heart attack is also commonly known as a “heart attack.” It usually occurs due to an obstruction in the vessels that carry blood to the heart, leading to the death of this muscle tissue.
Symptoms
Chest pain (usually left side). Such pain spreads to the arm and shoulder and can be reproduced in the other arm. This pain feels like tightness or pressure in the chest.
- Burning sensation in the chest. This feeling is often confused with heartburn.
- Sweat.
- Shortness of breath.
- In some cases, there may be a feeling of nausea and vomiting, which can lead to fainting.
- Anxiety.
But beware: in women and young people, symptoms may be slightly different from what is familiar to most of the population. That’s because the signs can be more subtle or confused with heartburn, for example. But it is essential to seek help when experiencing these symptoms.
No Symptoms:
These are called “silent symptoms” because their symptoms are difficult to perceive for people unfamiliar with the subject. In other words, it is necessary to resort to specialists and exams to make sure there is a disease. Are they:
Hypertension
Hypertension makes the heart need more effort to pump blood, as it finds it difficult to circulate. Thus, it can have severe consequences and is also a risk factor for more cardiovascular diseases.
Atherosclerosis
Atherosclerosis is characterized by the accumulation of plaque in the arteries. It can be caused by high cholesterol levels and causes damage according to its location in the body. For example, a person with an accumulation of such plaques in the brain is more at risk of stroke. It also becomes a risk factor for the person to develop other cardiovascular diseases.
Cardiovascular Diseases
Risk Factors
The risk factors for cardiovascular disease are also divided into modifiable and non-modifiable. This means that adjustable are habits that can be changed. The non-modifiable ones are issues over which we have no control.
Modifiable Risk Factors:
- Sedentary lifestyle;
- Smoking;
- Obesity;
- Bad eating habits;
- Stress anxiety;
- Hypertension;
- Abusive alcohol consumption;
- High cholesterol;
- Diabetes.
Non-Modifiable Risk Factors:
- genetic predisposition;
- Age;
- Sex.