Cardiovascular Diseases: Causes, Symptoms & Treatments

A cardiovascular system is responsible for supplying blood to different parts of the body. This system consists of the heart, veins, arteries and capillaries.

Cardiovascular diseases are the prevailing cause of death globally. In this article, we will see the causes, symptoms and treatment of CVD. Read on!

What Is a Cardiovascular Disease?

CVD or cardiovascular diseases, in general, means the conditions that affect the heart or the blood vessels. It is generally linked with an accumulation of fat deposits in arteries and higher risks of blood clots. Furthermore, it might be associated with any damage to the arteries in the heart, brain, eyes and kidneys.

What Are the Types of Cardiovascular Diseases?

Broadly, there are four types of cardiovascular diseases –

1. Coronary Heart Disease

This condition happens in case the flow of oxygen-rich blood is reduced or blocked to the muscles of the heart. Coronary heart disease puts a lot of pressure on the heart and can cause angina, heart attacks and heart failure.

2. Strokes and TIAs

A stroke occurs when the blood supply to any part of the brain stops permanently. This leads to brain damage and even death. TIA or transient ischaemic attack is similar to strokes, but the blood supply stops temporarily in one’s brain.

3. Peripheral Arterial Disease

Peripheral arterial disease happens when there is a blockage in the arteries of the limbs. This condition can cause cramping or dull leg pain, weakness or numbness in the legs and persistent Sores on your toes, feet or legs etc.

4. Aortic Disease

There are a number of conditions that affect the aorta. The aorta in the human body is the largest blood vessel that carries blood from heart to the rest of the body parts. The most common aortic disease is an aortic aneurysm. In this condition, the aorta weakens and bulges outwards.

What Are the Risk Factors of Cardiovascular Diseases?

Primary causes of cardiovascular diseases are not clear; however, several risk factors trigger CVD. Higher the number of risk factors, greater are the chances of getting affected with CVD. The primary risk factors for cardiovascular disease are as follows –

High blood pressure
Smoking
High cholesterol
Diabetes
Inactivity
Being obese or overweight
Family history of cardiovascular diseases

What Are the Signs and Symptoms of Cardiovascular Diseases?

Stroke or heart attack is one of the main types of cardiovascular diseases. Symptoms of heart attack are as follows –

Discomfort or pain in the chest
Discomfort or pain in arms, elbows, back, jaws and left arms
Shortness of breath or breathing difficulty
Vomiting or nausea
Fainting or light-headedness
Cold sweat
Turning pale

Some other common signs of a stroke include –

Sudden weakness of arm, leg or face
Numbness of face, leg, arm
Difficulty in seeing
Difficulty walking
Dizziness or loss of coordination
Severe headache
Unconsciousness

Who Is At Risk of Getting Affected With Cardiovascular Diseases?

People above the age of fifty years are at higher risk for CVD. Furthermore, men have higher odds of developing CVD at an early age. Individuals with an unhealthy diet and excessive consumption of alcohol are more likely to get affected by cardiovascular diseases.

How are Cardiovascular Diseases Diagnosed?

Your doctor might perform a number of procedures and tests to diagnose your condition at a hospital or during the first few weeks at home. These tests assist the doctor in determining the underlying cause of the CVD and the damage done. The tests and procedures include –

Electrocardiogram
Echocardiogram
Stress test
Cardiac CT Scan
Cardiac MRI

What Is the Treatment for Cardiovascular Diseases?

The treatment for a cardiovascular disease includes –

Medications for blood-thinning diseases, statins, beta-blockers, nitrates, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, angiotensin-2-receptor blockers, calcium channel blockers, diuretics, etc.
Surgeries like coronary artery bypass grafting and valve replacement or repair surgery
Cardiac rehabilitation
Lifestyle counselling

How to Prevent Cardiovascular Diseases?

The best prevention for cardiovascular diseases is to maintain a healthy lifestyle. The following practises can help you stay protected from cardiovascular diseases –

Quit smoking
Having a balanced diet
Exercising regularly
Maintaining a healthy weight
Cutting down on alcohol
Medications such as low-dose aspirin and tablets

Now that individuals know all about cardiovascular diseases, they can follow the above-mentioned preventive measures to keep away from them.

Frequently Asked Questions

All

What are the seven heart diseases?

The seven heart diseases includes –

Coronary heart disease
Heart arrhythmias
Heart failure
Heat valve disease
Pericardial disease
Cardiomyopathy
Congenital heart disease

Which age group is at most risk for cardiovascular diseases?

Adults aged 65 and above are at higher risk for CVD.