What Is Heart Disease And How Can I Prevent It?

By Lena Stephenson


Heart disease is a general name used for conditions affecting the entire cardiovascular system. The areas affected include the rhythm and blood vessels. There are conditions affecting children and can be detected at birth. A look at these conditions will demystify what is heart disease. The other name used is cardiovascular conditions.

The conditions related to the cardiovascular system include narrowing of blood vessels or blockage. These conditions are likely to lead to heart attacks, pain and even stroke. This description also captures conditions that affect muscles, valves and the rhythm. The best treatment for these conditions is making the right lifestyle choices.

The systems that are manifested depend on the condition affecting the patient. Stiff, blocked or narrow muscles and blood vessels lead to poor supply of blood to crucial organs like the brain. This will lead to such signs as nausea, shortness of breath and extreme fatigue. It is worth noting that the symptoms may vary depending on whether it is a woman or a man who is affected.

Weak feet, numbness and cold feet indicate that your cardiovascular system has a problem and therefore is unable to pump blood effectively to the limbs. Cold limbs are an indication of narrow vessels. Other danger signs include painful neck, jaw, throat, neck and upper abdomen. The earliest diagnosis includes heart attack or failure, angina or stroke.

Concern should be raised when the heartbeats are abnormal. They include irregular, slow or fast heartbeats. Lightheadedness, racing heartbeat, chest pain, fluttering and chest discomfort are signs of trouble. Other danger signs are fainting, near fainting and dizziness.

Congenital defects are conditions in children and can be detected at birth. Some of the signs to be observed include short breath during an activity or exercise, swollen ankles, feet and hands as well as getting tired easily. Most of them are not an immediate threat to life but should be given medical attention to ensure that the child develops normally. They easily get complicated when not corrected in good time.

Stiff and thick surrounding muscles and blood vessels cause a weak cardiovascular system. As the condition gets worse, these signs begin to emerge. The patient experience breathlessness at rest or with exertion, has swollen feet, ankles and legs and may also feel dizzy lightheaded and faint easily.

There are infections that affect the cardiovascular system leading to such symptoms as pericarditis, myocarditis and endocarditis. These conditions affect surrounding tissues, muscles and membranes separating different chambers. The symptoms depend on the type of condition and may include shortness of breath, skin rashes and unusual spots, dry-persistent cough and fatigue or weakness.

The damage caused by valvular diseases leads to narrow, leaking or improper closing of the chambers. The affected chamber and level of attack will determine the difference in symptoms. The most common ones are chest pains, fainting, fatigue and shortness of breath.

The common symptoms that should send you to a doctor are short breath, fainting, fatigue and chest pains. Successful treatment can be achieved with early detection. There are lifestyle choices that help to reduce the risk. Discuss your condition with the doctor if your have a family history of cardiovascular diseases.




About the Author:



No comments:

Post a Comment