Cardiovascular diseases are the illnesses of heart and blood vessels (arteries and veins) (World Health Organization). In fact, there are many different diseases of the cardiovascular system, but I would like to highlight the most common.
Arrhythmia
Arrhythmia is a condition in which the frequency, rhythm and sequence of heart contractions are violated. The symptoms occur because of various congenital anomalies, acquired diseases of the cardiovascular system, as well as under the influence of vegetative, hormonal or electrolyte disturbances and as a result of the adverse drug action.
Violated heartbeat, weakness and fainting are frequent companions of arrhythmia. The diagnosis is specified at an electrocardiogram. It is necessary to influence the cause of a rhythm disturbance. Sedative and antiarrhythmic drugs, as well as electrical stimulation are used for the treatment (Bora).
Congenital Heart Defects
Diseases of the cardiovascular system which are marked by the various anomalies of the heart and surrounding blood vessels arise during the fetal development under the influence of infections, injuries, radiation exposure, hormonal disorders, taking medications or because of a deficiency of vitamins in food. Congenital heart defects can be with cyanosis or without primary cyanosis. These diseases are manifested by the shortness of breath, cyanosis during physical exertion and even at rest, palpitations and general weakness. Treatment is surgical (Bora).
Arterial Hypertension
Hypertension is characterized by the increased blood pressure. Arterial hypertension can be primary and secondary (as a consequence of endocrine diseases, kidney diseases and congenital vascular disease). Hypertension contributes to the emergence and complicates many diseases of the heart, brain and kidneys. Headaches, dizziness, heart pain, nosebleeds, memory loss - all these symptoms are manifestations of hypertension. Hypertension without treatment leads to heart attacks, strokes, kidney failure and sudden death. It is possible to control the pressure in the early stages and without medication using autogenic training, proper nutrition and physical training. However, resistant hypertension requires taking medications during all life (Bora).
Coronary Artery Disease
It is a chronic disease characterized by the lack of coronary blood flow caused by atherosclerosis. It may be manifested by angina pectoris (attacks of pain in the heart during physical activity which stop when taking nitroglycerin), myocardial infarction (necrosis of the area of the heart muscle with severe chest pain that does not pass by taking nitroglycerin and leads to serious complications) and atherosclerotic cardio sclerosis (replacement of myocardium by connective tissue with violation of the heart muscle function). Treatment is medical and surgical. At the initial stages of coronary artery disease it is very important to have regular moderate physical activity (Bora).
Myocarditis
It is an inflammatory disease of the heart muscle that occurs due to various bacterial and viral factors, allergic reactions and other reasons. Myocarditis is manifested by malaise, pain in heart and rhythm disturbances. Complications - heart failure, thromboembolism. Treatment - rest, use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, hormone drugs and fighting against complications (Beckerman).
Rheumatic Heart Disease
It is characterized by the development of a systemic inflammatory process with a primary lesion of the heart and blood vessels. The trigger factor of rheumatic disease is streptococcal infection. An illness usually begins after angina. It affects the heart with the development of myocarditis (sometimes endocarditis), as well as large joints. Treatment – rest in bed, antibiotics, anti-inflammatories, hormones (Bora).
Heart Failure
It is a condition in which cardiac performance on the necessary blood circulation in the body is violated. It is developed as a result of various diseases that hamper the work of the heart muscle (myocarditis, coronary heart disease, hypertension and cardiomyopathy). Heart failure can be both acute and chronic. Manifestations depend on the primary lesion of the right or left heart chambers. Left ventricular failure is characterized by the shortness of breath, attacks of breathlessness, dizziness, syncope and angina pectoris. Characteristic features of right ventricular failure are cyanosis, edema and enlargement of the liver. Treatment - decreased physical activity, diet, diuretics and cardiac glycosides (Bora).
Works Cited
Beckerman, James. “Myocarditis”. Webmd. 14 July 2014. Web. 25 May 2016
Bora, Chandramita. “Cardiovascular System Diseases”. Buzzle. 30 April 2014. Web. 25 May 2016
World Health Organization. “Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs)”. Who. January 2015. Web. 25 May 2016
