Index
We always listen to talk about the care we should take with health as a way to avoid or at least reduce the chances of some diseases occurring. Among the biggest concerns are the occurrences of cardiovascular diseases that are always on the list of the main problems caused by sedentary life and poor diet . But in fact, few people are aware of what cardiovascular diseases really are, what the symptoms are and the main risks.
What Are Cardiovascular Diseases?
Cardiovascular diseases are several complications that affect blood vessels and the heart. Usually related to the age factor, but also very frequent in individuals with bad habits in life, such as unruly eating and a sedentary lifestyle. In some cases, cardiovascular diseases can be diagnosed soon after birth as well, in case of congenital heart diseases.
Another occurrence for the existence of cardiovascular diseases is the intercurrence due to infection by viruses, bacteria or fungi that can lead to the existence of cardiac inflammation, such as myocarditis and endocarditis.
Cardiovascular diseases are the main responsible for serious complications such as stroke, heart failure, infarction, cardiac arrhythmias and even problems with blood circulation. They tend to affect more men than women, and usually over the age of 50. Being considered a risk group for cardiovascular diseases:
- Diabetic people;
- With high cholesterol;
- With high blood pressure;
- Obese;
- Sedentary;
- People who experience high levels of stress;
- People with a family history of the disease.
Individuals who fit the risk group should exercise extreme caution with their health. Have strict medical follow-up and regularly carry out health assessments. Following treatments and medical instructions is also essential for better control. The prevention of cardiovascular diseases is not only due to the symptoms and discomfort they cause, but because it is considered one of the main causes of death today worldwide.
Major Cardiovascular Diseases
They are divided into two types, cardiovascular diseases: symptomatic and asymptomatic. Symptomatic, those that cause evident symptoms that are occurring, such as cardiac arrhythmia and angina and asymptomatic, hypertension and atherosclerosis, which can be completely silent. Even though they are all worrisome, asymptomatic patients are the most worrying and that is why regular visits to the doctor for follow-up are so charged and necessary, especially if they are part of the risk group.
Hypertension
Characterized by an increase in blood pressure levels above 130 x 80 mmHg, hypertension can cause changes in cardiac functioning. It is directly related to the age factor, overweight, consumption of excess salt and fatty foods and lack of physical exercise.
It usually does not cause symptoms, but it can be noticed through some signs that can be confused with other conditions such as dizziness, severe headaches, chest pains and changes in vision. Hypertension must be controlled under the supervision of a cardiologist through treatment based on medications, changes in eating habits and physical exercise. The intake of at least 2 liters of water is essential for the treatment of hypertensive patients.
Cardiac insufficiency
Heart failure problems are very common in patients who already suffer from high blood pressure, which as a consequence suffers from cardiac muscle weakness and as a result undergoes an alteration in the function of pumping blood to the rest of the body. Due to this occurrence, it is natural for patients with heart failure to experience excessive tiredness , shortness of breath, constant swelling in the legs and feet and dry cough, especially at night.
Heart failure should be monitored and treated by a cardiologist. Treatment is carried out with the help of blood pressure regulating drugs and diuretics. Controlling the quality of food, especially in reducing salt, is essential. The practice of physical activities makes all the difference in complementing the treatment.
Acute myocardial infarction
Acute myocardial infarction, also known by the acronym (AMI) and popularly known as heart attack, is the interruption of the passage of blood to the heart caused by the accumulation of fat inside the blood vessels. Its characteristic symptom is severe chest pain radiating to the arm, as well as dizziness, malaise and cold sweat.
When a heart attack occurs, the individual must be taken urgently to the nearest emergency room to begin treatment. The intervention is based on drugs that will act to prevent new blood clots and that facilitate the blood flow to normalize or be directed to the angioplasty surgical procedure.
Congenic cardiopatics
Congenital heart disease is a malformation in the heart that occurs during the gestational phase . Usually identified in the gestational phase through ultrasound exams or echocardiography, they must be analyzed in particular to check the severity. In cases of mild congenital heart disease, the individual usually has no symptoms and can lead an absolutely normal life. In cases considered severe, surgical correction may be indicated soon after the baby is born, or in more specific cases, a heart transplant is recommended.
The treatment indicated depends on the analysis of the condition and severity. In the mildest cases, only the use of medication to relieve symptoms, such as diuretics and beta-blockers that will act to control heart rate, may be indicated.
Cardiac Arrhythmia
Cardiac arrhythmia is characterized by changes in heart beats, making them slower or faster than normal. This change causes symptoms such as excessive tiredness, chest pain, pallor , shortness of breath and constant cold sweat.
The monitoring must be done by a cardiologist and the treatment is focused on regularizing the heartbeat. The condition must be analyzed individually and based on the patient’s severity, the best treatment will be prescribed. Treatment can be based on drugs, pacemaker implantation and defibrillation. The consumption of alcohol and drinks with a high caffeine content are not recommended for patients suffering from cardiac arrhythmia, as well as a balanced diet.
Angina
Angina is characterized by severe chest pain or a feeling of heaviness . It usually occurs due to a reduction in the blood flow of the heart, more common in older people or hypertensive people who suffer from high blood pressure, diabetes or who have a dysfunctional life in the diet, causing an accumulation of fat in the blood vessels causing interruption of the flow.
Treatment should be done by a cardiologist who will assess the severity of the condition and indicate which treatment is most appropriate for the case. Usually treatment is the basis for rest and the use of some medications in order to reduce symptoms and regulate blood flow, in addition to preventing the occurrence of clots and controlling blood pressure.
My name is Dr. Alexis Hart I am 38 years old, I am the mother of 3 beautiful children! Different ages, different phases 16 years, 12 years and 7 years. In love with motherhood since always, I found it difficult to make my dreams come true, and also some more after I was already a mother.
Since I imagined myself as a mother, in my thoughts everything seemed to be much easier and simpler than it really was, I expected to get pregnant as soon as I wished, but it wasn’t that simple. The first pregnancy was smooth, but my daughter’s birth was very troubled. Joana was born in 2002 with a weight of 2930kg and 45cm, from a very peaceful cesarean delivery but she had already been born with congenital pneumonia due to a broken bag not treated with antibiotics even before delivery.
