Cardiac ailments: Varieties, signs, precautions, and origins
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) remains the leading cause of death worldwide, accounting for over 17.9 million deaths in 2016, according to recent statistics. This alarming figure represents 31% of all registered premature deaths. Of these deaths, 85% resulted from a heart attack or stroke, affecting equal numbers of men and women.
Many types of CVD are preventable by addressing risk factors. These include reducing alcohol and tobacco use, eating fresh fruit and vegetables, reducing salt, sugar, and saturated fat intake, avoiding a sedentary lifestyle, and adopting regular physical activity.
Routine lipid (cholesterol) screening is generally recommended starting at age 20 for all adults, typically every five years, with more frequent checks for those at higher risk. Blood pressure measurement is advised regularly to detect hypertension, which is often asymptomatic. Annual blood pressure screenings are recommended starting around age 40, as hypertension risk increases with age.
Starting at age 40, screening frequency and scope usually increase, focusing on detection of hypertension and evaluation of overall cardiac risk. More advanced screening like coronary artery calcium scoring may be used in selected asymptomatic individuals based on risk assessments. Guidelines emphasize individualized risk assessment including family history, lifestyle, and underlying conditions such as diabetes to tailor screening schedules.
Continued exposure to CVD risk factors can contribute to the development of CVD later in life. These risk factors include high blood pressure, atherosclerosis or blockages in the arteries, radiation therapy, smoking, poor sleep hygiene, high blood cholesterol, diabetes, a high-fat, high-carbohydrate diet, physical inactivity, obesity, sleep apnea, excessive alcohol consumption, stress, air pollution, chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder, and other forms of reduced lung function.
Symptoms of CVD can include pain or pressure in the chest, pain or discomfort in the arms, shoulders, elbows, jaw, or back, shortness of breath, nausea, fatigue, lightheadedness or dizziness, cold sweats, and symptoms anywhere in the body.
Treatment aims to relieve symptoms, reduce the risk of the condition or disease recurring or getting worse, prevent complications, stabilize heart rhythms, reduce blockages, and relax the arteries to enable a better flow of blood. Treatment options for CVD may include medication, surgery, and cardiac rehabilitation.
However, it's important to note that aspirin is no longer recommended for most people as a routine measure to protect against CVD, as it can lead to bleeding. A doctor may suggest it for those at high risk of experiencing a cardiovascular event or for those who have already had a heart attack or stroke.
CVD encompasses various conditions, such as angina, arrhythmia, congenital heart disease, coronary artery disease, heart attack, heart failure, dilated cardiomyopathy, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, mitral regurgitation, mitral valve prolapse, pulmonary stenosis, aortic stenosis, atrial fibrillation, heumatic heart disease, radiation heart disease, peripheral artery disease, aneurysm, atherosclerosis, renal artery disease, Raynaud's disease, peripheral venous disease, ischemic stroke, venous blood clots, blood clotting disorders, and Buerger's disease.
The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that by 2030, over 23 million people will die from CVD conditions annually - mostly due to stroke and heart disease. Therefore, it is crucial to be aware of the risk factors, adopt a heart-healthy lifestyle, and undergo regular screenings to prevent and manage CVD effectively.
- Predictive science suggests that ongoing exposure to risk factors such as atherosclerosis, high blood pressure, and diabetes can lead to the development of CVD later in life, particularly implications for those aged 40 and above.
- In addition to heart attack and stroke, other medical-conditions linked to CVD include angina, arrhythmia, congenital heart disease, and aithmosclerosis, all of which may benefit from cardiac rehabilitation and pain medications in their management.
- Stroke, accounting for more than half of CVD-related deaths, is a significant concern, and given its potential connection with Alzheimer's, it's essential to prioritize cardiovascular health and wellness as a means of preventing these debilitating health conditions.
- Health-and-wellness professionals recommend regular screenings for lipid levels, blood pressure, and overall cardiac risk that become more frequent after the age of 40, allowing for early detection of CVD and eventual prevention.
- While aspirin can potentially help those at high risk of cardiovascular events or those who have already experienced a heart attack or stroke, its routine use is no longer recommended due to the risk of bleeding for most people.
