Did you know cardiovascular diseases are the leading global cause of death, accounting for 17.3 million deaths annually? In addition, hypertension is the most critical risk factor for cardiovascular disease. It accounts for approximately one-third of all CVD cases. So read on if you’re concerned about your heart health or want to learn more about these conditions! This blog post will overview cardiovascular diseases and hypertension, including causes, symptoms and treatment options. Plus, we’ll dispel some common myths about these conditions. So whether you’re just starting to think about your heart health or looking for more information, keep reading!
What is cardiovascular disease (CVD)?
It is a general term for several conditions that affect the heart and blood vessels. For example, CVD includes coronary heart disease (CHD), which occurs when the arteries that supply blood to the heart become narrowed or blocked.
What are the different types of CVDs?
There are four main types of CVDs: coronary heart disease, cerebrovascular disease, peripheral artery disease, and rheumatic heart disease.
- CVD occurs when the arteries that supply blood to the heart muscle become blocked or narrowed due to plaque build-up. This can lead to chest pain, shortness of breath, and even heart attacks.
- Cerebrovascular disease includes any condition that affects the blood vessels supplying blood to the brain. This can include stroke, transient ischemic attack (TIA), and aneurysms.
- Peripheral artery disease occurs when the vessels that supply blood to the limbs become blocked or narrowed. This can lead to pain in the legs and feet during physical activity and ulcers or gangrene in severe cases.
- Rheumatic heart disease is an ailment that develops as a complication of rheumatic fever. It involves damage to the heart’s valves, which can lead to heart failure.
What are the risk factors for developing CVD?
The risk factors for CVD include high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, smoking, an unhealthy diet, and lack of physical activity. Many of these risk factors can be controlled through lifestyle changes, such as eating a healthy diet and exercising regularly. Treatments are also available to manage some risk factors, such as high blood pressure and diabetes. By understanding the risk factors for CVD, people can take steps to reduce their risk and improve their health.
How can you prevent a CVD from developing or worsening?
Fortunately, there are also many things that people can do to prevent CVD from developing or worsening. First, there are a few lifestyle changes that you can make to reduce your risk for CVD. Eating a healthy diet, exercising regularly, quitting smoking, and managing stress are great ways to help keep your heart healthy. In addition, people with existing CVD can take steps to prevent further damage to their heart and blood vessels by controlling their blood pressure and cholesterol levels and taking medication as prescribed.
What are the symptoms of CVD or hypertension (high blood pressure)?
Blood pressure is measured in millimetres of mercury (mmHg). Suppose your upper systolic blood pressure (the top number) is 140 mmHg or higher. In that case, your lower diastolic blood pressure (the bottom number) is 90 mmHg or higher. You have high blood pressure.
It usually has no symptoms so it can go undiagnosed for many years. That’s why it’s essential to get your blood pressure checked regularly. High blood pressure can lead to deleterious health problems such as heart disease, stroke, and kidney disease if left untreated. If you think you may have high blood pressure, make an appointment with your doctor to get checked out.
How is CVD or hypertension treated and managed?
There are many ways to treat CVD or hypertension. Some methods may depend on the severity of the condition. In contrast, others may be chosen based on personal preference or lifestyle. Treatment options can be divided into two broad categories: lifestyle changes and medication. Making lifestyle changes is often the first step in treating CVD or hypertension. This may involve quitting smoking, eating a healthy diet, and exercising regularly. These changes may be enough for some people to control their blood pressure. However, others may require medication in addition to lifestyle changes. Many types of blood pressure medications are available, so working with a registered healthcare provider is essential to find the best option for each individual. Multiple drugs may sometimes be necessary to manage CVD or hypertension effectively.
CVD treatment at Lotus medical centre in Australia
If you have high hypertension, it’s essential to get it under control. The team at Lotus Medical Centre can help you do just that. So contact our experienced doctors in Brunswick today to schedule an appointment or ask any thing related to Cardiology and take the first step toward better health.
