Cardiac and circulatory disorders (CVDs) are conditions that affect the heart and blood arteries. Almost half of all individuals in the United States suffer from some sort of cardiovascular disease. If you have cardiovascular disease, you may need to adopt lifestyle changes, or your healthcare practitioner may prescribe medicine to help you manage it. The earlier cardiovascular disease is detected and treated, the more successful the outcome.
What are the risk factors for cardiovascular disease?
Cardiovascular disease may be more likely if you have the following risk factors:
- Blood pressure that is too high (hypertension).
- High triglycerides (hyperlipidemia)
- Use of tobacco
- Diabetes.
- Heart disease runs in my family.
- An inactive way of life or excessive weight gain.
- High salt, sugar, and fat diet.
- Abuse of alcohol.
- Toxemia or preeclampsia are two possible outcomes.
- Diabetes during pregnancy.
- Chronic inflammatory or autoimmune disorders are long-lasting.
- Nephrotic syndrome (CKD).
Symptoms
Even more concerning, 80 percent of the women who participated in the research stated that they had been experiencing similar symptoms for at least one month prior to having a heart attack.
The symptoms of heart disease in women might be mistaken with those of other illnesses such as depression, menopause, and anxiety, among others.
The following are some of the most common heart disease symptoms in women:
- dizziness
- paleness
- respiratory difficulties such as shortness of breath or shallow breathing
- lightheadedness
- falling out or feeling dizzy
- anxiety
- nausea
- vomiting
- the throbbing ache in the jaw
- an ache in the neck
- backaches and pains
- chest and stomach discomfort caused by indigestion or gas-like pain
- sweating cold sweats
Problems with the heart valves
Stenosis is a problem that occurs when the heart valves do not open fully, allowing the blood to pass through as it should as a result of the inadequate opening. Regurgitation is a condition that occurs when the heart valves do not seal properly, allowing blood to seep through the heart. Prolapse is a condition that occurs when the valve leaflets bulge or prolapse back into the upper chamber of the heart. Learn more about the functions of your heart valves and how they contribute to good circulation.
Learn more about the illness of the heart valves.
Treatments that are commonly used
The following are some of the most often used therapies for various forms of cardiovascular disease:
Problems with the heart’s valves
- Medications
- Surgery on the heart valves
Arrhythmia
- Medications
- Pacemaker
Cardiac Arrest
- Clot-busting medications are available (should be administered as soon as possible for certain types of heart attacks)
- Coronary angioplasty is a procedure in which a balloon is inflated around a blood vessel in the heart.
- Coronary artery bypass graft surgery is a procedure in which a coronary artery is bypassed.
Stroke
Clot busters are medications that are used to prevent blood clots (must be administered within three hours from onset of stroke symptoms for certain types of strokes)
Endarterectomy of the carotid artery (PDF)
How do I avoid heart disease?
Some kinds of cardiovascular illnesses, such as congenital heart disease, are incurable and cannot be prevented. However, adopting a healthier lifestyle can lower your chance of developing many forms of cardiovascular disease.
You can lower your cardiovascular risk by doing the following:
- Avoid any tobacco products at all costs.
- In addition, various health issues, such as diabetes, high cholesterol, or high blood pressure, are managed.
- Getting and keeping a healthy weight.
- Eating a diet that is low in saturated fat and salt is recommended.
- On most days, you should be exercising for at least 30 to 60 minutes every day.
- Stress reduction and management are important.
Lifestyle changes
Healthy habits can help you avoid heart disease. They can also help you cure and prevent further deterioration. One area you may want to modify is your nutrition.
A low-sodium, low-fat diet rich in fruits and vegetables may help reduce the risk of heart disease. The DASH diet is one example.
Regular exercise and stopping smoking can also help cure heart disease. Reduce your alcohol intake as well.
Medications
Certain forms of cardiac disease may require medication. An effective drug can cure or control the cardiac disease. Medications can also help reduce or eliminate difficulties. The medicine recommended to you depends on your heart problem. Learn more about the medications used to treat heart disease.