Types of Cardiovascular Disease
- Friday, December 18, 2009, 2:54
- Health Care, Heart Support
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Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of deaths in the United States and is known to afflict millions of individuals across the globe. It is caused by various factors such as elevated stress levels, obesity, high blood pressure, high cholesterol levels, lack of exercise, intake of a high fat diet, age and heredity.
Cardiovascular disease is of different types. Its main forms are hypertension, stroke, heart attack, atherosclerosis and congestive heart disease.
Types of cardiovascular disease:
It is also known as high blood pressure and tends to put immense strain on the heart. It causes the heart to exert more pressure in order to pump blood and weakens the blood vessels in the process. The device used to measure blood pressure is called a sphygmomanometer.
Average blood pressure readings that indicate good health are 110-120 systolic over 70-80 diastolic. High blood pressure is equal to or greater than 140 over 90. Hypertension has no warning signs and can continue to damage your brain, heart, eyes and kidneys without your realizing it. This disease does not have a cure and can result in heart attack, kidney failure, stroke, congestive heart failure and blindness.
The exact cause of hypertension remains unknown in about 90% of cases but major risk factors include chronic stress, obesity, hereditary factors, diet and atherosclerosis.
This is the slow and progressive hardening of the arteries as well as their tapering which can also begin in childhood. In atherosclerosis the arteries are narrowed due to the accumulation of fat, cholesterol and other substances.
These deposits are called plaques and cause the arteries to harden thereby, decreasing their ability to contract resulting in limited blood flow. This form of cardiovascular disease can be extremely fatal in case the heart, brain or other organs are deprived of blood and oxygen.
As per research, almost 1.5 million individuals in the United States are struck by a heart attack. It usually comes without warning but can result in various complications.
A heart attack occurs due to blockage in the coronary artery and is known as coronary thrombosis, coronary occlusion or myocardial infarction. Myocardial infarction may cause a portion of the heart muscle to die due to lack of oxygen.
Stroke:
The brain cells require a continuous and adequate amount of oxygen rich blood in order to function properly. In the absence of adequate blood supply, they tend to die within minutes. A stroke, also known as cerebrovascular accident occurs when the blood supply to the brain is disconnected. The three major types of stroke are cerebral thrombosis, cerebral embolism and cerebral hemorrhage.
Various conditions such as hypertension, atherosclerosis, heart attack and birth defects can cause severe damage to the pumping mechanism of the heart.
This results in the seeping in of fluids through the walls of the capillaries causing fluid retention or edema which is marked by swollen feet and ankles. If the fluid gets accumulated in the lungs it can hinder breathing. This is known as pulmonary edema and is the outcome of congestive heart failure.
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