What Is Heart Disease And How Can It Be Prevented?

By Lena Stephenson


Heart disease describes a range of conditions affecting the cardiovascular system. These conditions affect blood vessels, the rhythm and include defects during birth. Understanding what is heart disease and the symptoms requires a look at the systems that are connected. It is worth noting that cardiovascular can be used as a replacement.

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.

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.

Cardiovascular defects can be identified through numbness and weakening feet. The most common cause of cold feet is narrow blood vessels. You should report to the doctor in case you experience pain on such areas as the neck, throat, jaw and abdomen. Most patients will be diagnosed with heart failure and attack, angina and stroke before the doctor can detect cardiovascular conditions.

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 detected at birth. The affected children display such symptoms as short breath during exercise or activity, easily getting tired and swelling of hands, ankles and feet. Some of these conditions are not immediately life threatening but require attention to ensure normal growth. They can be corrected at an early age, but they get complicated over time.

The weakness of cardiovascular muscles is usually attributed to thickening or stiffness. The signs are not easily detected in the early stages but they will appear as the situation gets worse. They include breathlessness with exertion or at rest, swollen feet, legs or ankles as well as dizziness, lightheaded feeling and fainting.

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.

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.

The symptoms that should raise alarm are fatigue, fainting, short breath and chest pains. It is advantageous for these conditions to be detected early to facilitate treatment and reduce the level of exposure to risk. If your family has a history of cardiovascular diseases, you should discuss your concerns with the doctor to minimize your chances of having an attack.




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