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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.

Abnormal heartbeats are a sign of cardiovascular problems. They include slow, fast and irregular heartbeats. Other signs that should be a source of concern include chest pains, discomfort, lightheadedness and racing heartbeats. Fainting, near fainting and dizziness should be a cause for alarm.

Congenital defects are conditions in children and can be detected at birth. Some of the signs to be observed include short breath during an activity or exercise, swollen ankles, feet and hands as well as getting tired easily. Most of them are not an immediate threat to life but should be given medical attention to ensure that the child develops normally. They easily get complicated when not corrected in good time.

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.

Infections on the cardiovascular system will still lead to diseases and fall under the cardiovascular category. These infections affect surrounding muscles, tissues and membranes. The patient will display different symptoms depending on the condition. Common symptoms are dry persistent cough, fatigue, weakness, short breath, unusual spots and rashes on the skin.

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 common symptoms that should send you to a doctor are short breath, fainting, fatigue and chest pains. Successful treatment can be achieved with early detection. There are lifestyle choices that help to reduce the risk. Discuss your condition with the doctor if your have a family history of cardiovascular diseases.




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