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 the blood’s ability to carry oxygen caused by a decrease in red blood cells or the haemoglobin they carry.
HIGH CHOLESTROL: the higher the cholesterol level in the blood, the greater the risk of developing heart disease, causing atherosclerosis and CHD.
STRESS: this is another factor, when a person is under stress, the heart works harder, pumping blood more quickly. Excessive and unresolved stress can lead to high blood pressure, coronary thrombosis and heart attacks.
DIABETES: people with diabetes have a high risk of stroke and heart disease; important to maintain blood pressure levels.
SMOKING-causes the heart to work more harder- raises blood pressure, it damages the lining of the arteries and leads to ARTHEROSCLEROSIS
LACK OF EXERCISE
OBESITY
The two main diseases affecting a large amount of people in this category of C.V.D are CORONARY HEART DISEASE (CHD) AND STROKE (CVA)- they both have a similar cause- a blocked artery and lack of oxygen to the brain. ‘’58% of the population is affected by CHD’’ There are many factors that contribute to the risk factors, it is important to take into account socio-economic factors as well as gender, age, lifestyle and genetic factors. ‘’ In the uk, half the attacks occur in people over the age of 65’’, it is more common in men than women, however, after the menopause Heart disease becomes common in women and that is why they are advised to take HRT (Hormone Replacement Therapy) as well as for many other reasons. Heart disease can also be hereditary, doctors say if there is a strong family history of heart disease, it increases ones chance of CHD which may make us more liable to high levels of cholesterol and high blood pressure. It could also be due to all members of the family sharing an unhealthy lifestyle. It is also known that immigrants from the Indian sub continent who come to the UK are even more likely to develop CHD than people who were born here, they may have a lower incidence of heart disease whilst they were living there, but ‘’moving to a more affluent country increases the risk of heart disease’’.
MEDICAL TREATMENTS
During the last 10 years, there has been an enormous advance in the treatment of CHD. Medications such as nitrates dilate the blood vessels and increase the flow of blood to the heart as well as increasing the levels of oxygen. Drugs like statins are new drugs that lower cholesterol in the body especially the liver and prevent arteries from blocking further. BETA BLOCKERS (‘’blocks the effects of adrenalin on heart receptors, slowing down the heartbeat and reducing Blood pressure during exercise’’) and ASPIRIN (thins the blood, clotting less easily) are useful in the treatment of heart disease. The biggest medical advances have been in the use of surgery and angioplasty. Bypass surgery (CABG) Coronary Artery Bypass Grapht transforms the life of an angina sufferer and reduces the risk of further heart attacks.
PREVENTION IS BETTER THAN CURE
Although these surgical methods can alleviate the symptoms of CVD, after surgery the patient must also be willing to take care of their health with a good diet, stop smoking if a smoker and gentle exercise to experience the benefits of their operation. However prevention is better than cure and if the risk factors can be minimised the diseases could be slowed down in their development. New evidence shows that it is possible to ‘’reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke-through dietary changes, exercise, stress reduction, and nutritional supplementation’’.
NUTRITION: making changes to your diet is the most effective way to reduce the risk of C.V.D. It is important to eat a well balanced diet.
- Reducing the fat content- especially saturated fat can help to reduce blood cholesterol levels. Essential fatty acids such as omega 3/6 (found in oily fish such as mackerel, sardines etc) are known to reduce the risk of CVD, eat 2-3 portions a week.
- Eat lean cut meats
- Grill, bake or steam foods rather than frying.
- Aim for 5 pieces of fruit and vegetables a day- they are rich in nutrients including Vitamin C and E
(anti-oxidants).
-
“Whole grain foods can reduce the risk of CVD by up to 30 percent”whole grain rice, pasta, wholemeal bread etc.
- Soluble fibre found in oats, pulses and beans can help to lower cholesterol levels- should be included as part of a balanced diet- 2-3 times a week
- Reduce the amount of alcohol.
EXERCISE: Regular exercise can protect against C.V.D as it stimulates heart and circulation. Activities such as swimming, jogging, cardio vascular exercises are all likely to help. It is important to start slowly and build up gradually to more strength training exercises. Exercise will also reduce high blood pressure and is a great stress buster. Stop smoking- reduces the risk of heart disease rapidly.
COMPLEMENTARY MEDICINE:
Holistic therapies such as Aromatherapy massage and Reflexology help to reduce the risk of C.V.D as it helps to strengthen the hearts action, and also reduces the effects of stress which is a big factor in cardiovascular diseases, holistic massage also help to stimulate the hearts circulation. Certain essential oils have a particular effect on the blood and circulation.
CVD is a long term degenerative disease and people must be made aware of the complications of an unhealthy lifestyle early to try and educate them towards a healthy lifestyle. It has long been considered that CVD is a self inflicted disease because the lifestyle led by sufferers has influenced the onset of the disease and therefore avoidable. We will all die of something, and it's likely that heart disease will always be one of the major causes of death, but as mentioned above we can take preventative precautions to reduce the risk.
British heart foundation(2004)www.bhf.org.uk
Fit pro magazine (nov 2004) issue 101 page 25
British Heart Foundation (2004) www.BHF.org.uk
Cholesterol level leaflet- BOOTS (2004)
Fit pro magazine (october 2004) issue 100 page 31
Fit Pro magazine(2001) issue 12 page 18