The numbers of people dying of cardiovascular diseases are going down in the UK, but can cardiovascular disease be prevented?

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The numbers of people dying of cardiovascular diseases are going down in the UK, but can cardiovascular disease be prevented?

‘’Cardiovascular disease kills one in 3 people in the uk’’. Although cardiovascular diseases are on the decline, it is still Britain’s biggest number 1 killer ‘’responsible for 40% of premature deaths’’.  The cardio-vascular system is responsible for supplying the body with blood. The heart pumps blood around the body through arteries, veins and capillaries, it is made of cardiac tissue and is positioned in the thoracic region.    Cardiovascular diseases occur when blood and oxygen supply to the heart is restricted, it has 2 main components:

  • Diseases of the heart (Cardio)
  • Diseases of blood vessels (Vascular)

 Cardiovascular diseases cover a broad term of diseases and not jus one condition. Some types of cardiovascular diseases cant be prevented because some are congenital and you are born with them e.g.- Blue baby- (‘’congenital heart defect in a new born baby’’) other types of Cardiovascular diseases develop over a period of a lifetime and often you can help prevent by taking action e.g.: exercise, a balanced diet etc.  I am going to have a look at the diseases and disorders of the cardiovascular system and the factors contributing to the disease:

ARTHEROSCLEROSIS: a build up of fats including cholesterol, narrowing the artery passage, hardening the vessel walls and loss of elasticity- results in Coronary Heart Disease.

ARTERIOSCLEROSIS: degenerative type of disease, hardening of vessel walls and loss of elasticity- this condition mainly occurs in the elderly.

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STROKE (CVA): decreased supply of oxygen to the brain.

ANGINA PECTORIS- symptom of a disease like CHD due decreased oxygen supply to the heart

MYOCARDIAL INFARCTION:  blockage of coronary arteries by a blood clot reducing the blood supply to the myocardium muscle of the heart, it may occur in pregnancy or obesity.

VARICOSE VEINS: vascular disease, defect valve action within the veins of the leg allowing back flow of blood, this could hereditary 

PHLEBITIS: Inflammation of a vein.

RAYNAUDS DISEASE: circulation disorder affecting the fingers and toes.

LEUKEMIA: due to overproduction of white blood cells.

HAEMOPHILLIA: Blood’s inability to clot.

ANAEMIA: Reduction in ...

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