Friday, March 13, 2015

What Is Heart Disease And How Can It Be Prevented?

By Lena Stephenson


Heart disease is used to describe a number of conditions that affect the cardiovascular system in the body. While some of conditions can be detected at birth, others affect blood vessels and the rhythm. It is important to understand what is heart disease and its symptoms to facilitate early detection which minimizes risks associated with the condition.

The dangerous conditions associated with the cardiovascular system include blockage or narrowing of blood vessels. These conditions easily lead to stroke, heart attacks and chest pains. Conditions affecting related rhythm, valves and muscles form part of cardiovascular diseases. With good lifestyle choices, these conditions can be treated or effectively managed.

A patient will exhibit symptoms depending on the condition that is manifested. Narrowing, stiffness and blocking of blood vessels means that crucial organs like the brain are denied adequate blood supply. The signs in men might differ slightly with what women display. What is observed in women in most of the cases is nausea, shortness of breath and extreme fatigue.

Numbness and weak feet as well as cold limbs are indications of a cardiovascular problem. Coldness is a particular indication of narrow blood vessels. Other symptoms to watch-out for include pain in the neck, upper abdomen, jaw and throat. Angina, stroke, failure and attack are some of the diagnosis situations that indicate that you have a cardiovascular condition.

Abnormal heartbeats are a sign of cardiovascular problems. They include slow, fast and irregular heartbeats. Other signs that should be a source of concern include chest pains, discomfort, lightheadedness and racing heartbeats. Fainting, near fainting and dizziness should be a cause for alarm.

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.

The causes of weak cardiovascular muscles include stiffness or thickness of the muscles or vessels. It might not be easy to detect the signs at an early age but these signs will become clear as the condition worsens. You are likely to observe dizziness, swollen legs, feet and ankles as well as shortness of breath at rest or with exertion. The head feels light and the patient may occasionally faint.

Infections on the cardiovascular system will still lead to diseases and fall under the cardiovascular category. These infections affect surrounding muscles, tissues and membranes. The patient will display different symptoms depending on the condition. Common symptoms are dry persistent cough, fatigue, weakness, short breath, unusual spots and rashes on the skin.

Valvular diseases damage muscles and vessels leading to narrow chambers, improper closing or leakage. The symptoms displayed depend on the valve that is affected. Common symptoms are fainting, chest pains, fatigue and short breath.

It is advisable to see the doctor if you experience such common cardiovascular related symptoms as shortness of breath, fatigue or fainting and chest pains. Early detection leads to successful treatment in most cases. There are steps that you can take to reduce risks or slow the development of a condition. People with family history are most susceptible and should therefore see a doctor.




About the Author:



No comments:

Post a Comment