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Thursday, April 2, 2015

What Is Heart Disease And How Can I Prevent It?

By Lena Stephenson


Heart disease is a general name used for conditions affecting the entire cardiovascular system. The areas affected include the rhythm and blood vessels. There are conditions affecting children and can be detected at birth. A look at these conditions will demystify what is heart disease. The other name used is cardiovascular conditions.

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.

The type of condition will determine the symptoms that will be manifested. When the vessels are blocked, narrow or stiff, other parts of the body like the brain cannot receive enough blood. Men may display signs and symptoms that are different from women. The most common symptoms in women are extreme fatigue, shortness of breath and nausea.

Weak feet, numbness and cold feet indicate that your cardiovascular system has a problem and therefore is unable to pump blood effectively to the limbs. Cold limbs are an indication of narrow vessels. Other danger signs include painful neck, jaw, throat, neck and upper abdomen. The earliest diagnosis includes heart attack or failure, angina or stroke.

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.

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.

The weakness of cardiovascular muscles is usually attributed to thickening or stiffness. The signs are not easily detected in the early stages but they will appear as the situation gets worse. They include breathlessness with exertion or at rest, swollen feet, legs or ankles as well as dizziness, lightheaded feeling and fainting.

Infections affecting the cardiovascular system require medical attention. They affect surrounding and connected muscles, membranes and tissues. A patient will display particular symptoms depending on the condition he or she is suffering. The common ones are weakness, fatigue, short breath, dry and persistent cough, unusual spots and skin rashes.

Valvular diseases damage muscles and vessels leading to narrow chambers, improper closing or leakage. The symptoms displayed depend on the valve that is affected. Common symptoms are fainting, chest pains, fatigue and short breath.

It is advisable to see the doctor if you experience such common cardiovascular related symptoms as shortness of breath, fatigue or fainting and chest pains. Early detection leads to successful treatment in most cases. There are steps that you can take to reduce risks or slow the development of a condition. People with family history are most susceptible and should therefore see a doctor.




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