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.

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.

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.

Children at birth are frequently diagnosed with congenital defects. You are likely to observe short breath during exercise or activity, getting tired quickly and swollen feet, ankles and hands. These conditions are not threatening to their life but can get complicated over time. They need to be corrected early enough to ensure normal growth or complications in future.

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.

Valvular diseases are caused by damage leading to narrowing, leakage or improper closing. Symptoms will be different in each case depending on the affected valve. You can expect such symptoms as short breath, fatigue, chest pains and fainting.

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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