1. Introduction
1.1 What is cardiovascular disease
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a general term that describes as heart and blood vessel disease — also called heart disease — includes numerous problems, many of which are related to a process called atherosclerosis. Atherosclerosis is a condition that develops when a substance called plaque builds up in the walls of the arteries. This buildup narrows the arteries, making it harder for blood to flow through. If a blood clot forms, it can stop the blood flow. This can cause a heart attack or stroke.
A heart attack occurs when the blood flow to a part of the heart is blocked by a blood clot. If this clot cuts off the blood flow completely, the part of the heart muscle supplied by that artery begins to die. Most people survive their first heart attack and return to their normal lives to enjoy many more years of productive activity. But having a heart attack does mean you have to make some changes. The doctor will advise you of medications and lifestyle changes according to how badly the heart was damaged and what degree of heart disease caused the heart attack.
An ischemic stroke (the most common type) happens when a blood vessel that feeds the brain gets blocked, usually from a blood clot. When the blood supply to a part of the brain is shut off, brain cells will die. The result will be the inability to carry out some of the previous functions as before like walking or talking. A hemorrhagic stroke occurs when a blood vessel within the brain bursts. The most likely cause is uncontrolled hypertension.
Some effects of stroke are permanent if too many brain cells die after a stroke due to lack of blood and oxygen to the brain. These cells are never replaced. The good news is that some brain cells don’t die — they’re only temporarily out of order. Injured cells can repair themselves. Over time, as the repair takes place, some body functioning improves. Also, other brain cells may take control of those areas that were injured. In this way, strength may improve, speech may get better and memory may improve. This recovery process is what rehabilitation is all about.
(What is cardiovascular disease?, 2016)
Cardiovascular Disease
Treatment
Heart Valve Problems:
When heart valves don’t open enough to allow the blood to flow through as it should, it’s called stenosis. When the heart valves don’t close properly and allow blood to leak through, it’s called regurgitation.
Medications
Heart Valve Surgery
Arrhythmia: The heart can beat too slow, too fast or irregularly
Medications
Pacemaker
Heart Attack: When the flow of oxygen-rich blood to a section of heart muscle suddenly becomes blocked and the heart can’t get oxygen.
Medications — clot busters (should be administered as soon as possible for certain types of heart attacks)
Coronary Angioplasty
Coronary Artery Bypass Graft Surgery
Stroke: It occurs when blood flow to an area of brain is cut off.
Medications — clot busters (must be administered within 3 hours from onset of stroke symptoms for certain types of strokes, see Stroke Treatments)
Carotid Endarterectomy (PDF)
1.2 Risk of getting cardiovascular disease
A risk factor is something that that increases your likelihood of getting a disease. There are several risk factors for CVD, including:
¥ Smoking
¥ High blood pressure
¥ High blood cholesterol
¥ Being physically inactive
¥ Being overweight or obese
¥ Diabetes
¥ Family history of heart disease
¥ Ethnic background
¥ Age – the older you are, the more likely you are to develop CVD.
Bibliography:
• What is cardiovascular disease? (2016) Available at: http://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/Caregiver/Resources/WhatisCardiovascularDisease/What-is-Cardiovascular-Disease_UCM_301852_Article.jsp#.V7H3zGV1FFJ (Accessed: 16 August 2016).
• Choices, N. (2014) Cardiovascular disease. Available at: http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/cardiovascular-disease/Pages/Introduction.aspx (Accessed: 16 August 2016).