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CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE

Cardiovascular disease refers to the class of diseases that involve the heart and/or blood vessels (arteries and veins). While the term technically refers to any disease that affects the cardiovascular system, it is usually used to refer to those related to atherosclerosis (arterial disease). These conditions have similar causes, mechanisms, and treatments. In practice, cardiovascular disease is treated by cardiologists, thoracic surgeons, vascular surgeons, neurologists, and interventional radiologists, depending on the organ system that is being treated. There is considerable overlap in the specialties, and it is common for certain procedures to be performed by different types of specialists in the same hospital.

Over 71.3 million Americans have cardiovascular problems^{[citation needed]}, and most other Western countries face high and increasing rates of cardiovascular disease. It is the number 1 cause of death and disability in the United States and most European countries. By the time that heart problems are detected, the underlying cause (atherosclerosis) is usually quite advanced, having progressed for decades. There is therefore increased emphasis on preventing atherosclerosis by modifying risk factors, such as healthy eating, exercise and avoidance of smoking.

Risk factors (reasons for C-V disease)

There are many risk factors which predispose to various forms of cardiovascular disease. These include the following:

·          Age

·          Gender, men under age 64 are much more likely to die of coronary heart disease as women, although the gender difference declines with age. ^[1] (The gender difference is less pronounced in blacks than in whites, but it is still significant ^[2])

·          Absence of key nutritional elements, such as polyphenol antioxidants

·          Diabetes mellitus

·          Hypercholesterolemia (elevated cholesterol levels) and abnormal lipoprotein particle profile (cholesterol subtypes)

·          Tobacco smoking

·          Higher fibrinogen and PAI-1 blood concentrations

·          Elevated homocysteine, or even upper half of normal

·          Elevated blood levels of asymmetric dimethylarginine

·          High blood pressure

·          Exposure to high levels of environmental noise

·          Obesity, especially central or male-type obesity; apart from being linked to diabetes, this form of obesity independently increases cardiovascular risk, presumedly by inducing an inflammatory and procoagulant state

·          Genetic factors/Family history of cardiovascular disease

·          Physical inactivity/ Sedentary lifestyle

·          Depression

·          Stress

Although men have a higher rate of cardiovascular disease than women, it is also the number one health problem for women in industrialized countries. After menopause, the risk for women approaches that of men. Hormone replacement therapy alleviates a number of post-menopausal problems, but appears to increase the risk of cardiovascular disease.

Cardiovascular Disease (CVD) includes dysfunctional conditions of the heart, arteries, and veins that supply oxygen to vital life-sustaining areas of the body like the brain, the heart itself, and other vital organs. If oxygen doesn't arrive the tissue or organ will die

Cardiovascular Disease Facts and Statistics

·          Cardiovascular disease (CVD), principally heart disease and stroke, is the Nation's leading killer for both men and women among all racial and ethnic groups.

·          Almost 1 million Americans die of CVD each year, which adds up to 42% of all deaths.

·          Heart disease doesn't just kill the elderly -- it is the leading cause of death for ALL Americans age 35 and older. Heart disease accounts for over one million deaths each year; in 160,000 of those deaths the individuals were 35 to 64 years old.

·          Early medical detection and treatment is available, but the effectiveness of this in actually preventing heart attacks is questionable according to a study that was published in the journal Circulation.

In this study, Dr. Lewis Kuller reviewed the medical records of 326 individuals who had received medical examinations within the six month period before they died from a sudden heart attack. Eighty-six of the 326 examinations were done within the seven day period prior to death from heart attack. Not a single one of the 326 heart attacks had been predicted by the physicians.

·          The death toll alone is a staggering burden, but it is only part of the picture. The rest of the picture is filled with individuals who daily struggle with the complications of CVD. One out of every four Americans has CVD, that converts to about 57 million Americans. Heart disease and stroke account for almost 6 million hospitalizations each year and cause disability for almost 10 million Americans age 65 years and older.

·          CVD costs the nation $274 billion each year, including health expenditures and lost productivity. The 1999 cost is estimated to be $286.5 billion, and the burden continues to grow as the population ages.

·          According to studies conducted by the U.S. Center for Disease Control where you live might affect your exposure to factors causing heart disease (i.e. environmental pollution, daily stress, lifestyle behaviors).

·          Also, a number of health-related behaviors practiced by people every day contribute markedly to cardiovascular disease. Their statements are as follows:

o    Tobacco Use: Smokers have twice the risk of heart attack as nonsmokers. One-fifth of the annual 1,000,000 deaths from CVD are attributable to smoking. Surveillance data indicate that an estimated 1,000,000 young people become "regular" smokers each year. o   

o    Lack of Physical Activity: People who are sedentary have twice the risk of heart disease as those who are physically active. Despite these risks, America remains a predominantly sedentary society. Surveys show that more than half of American adults do not practice the recommended level of physical activity, and more than one-fourth are completely sedentary.

o    Poor Nutrition: Between 20% and 30% of the nation’s adults (some 58 million people) are obese and thus have a higher risk for heart disease, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and other chronic diseases and conditions such as diabetes. Only 27% of women and 19% of men report eating the recommended five servings of fruits and vegetables each day.

o    Proper ranges of cholesterol are also important in the prevention of heart attack or stroke. Total blood cholesterol above 200 mg/dl, LDL cholesterol above 130 mg/dl, HDL cholesterol below 35 mg/dl; and lipoprotein(a) level greater than 30 mg/dl are indicators of problematic cholesterol. Cholesterol is not actually a damage mechanism but is more an indicator of compromised liver function, and increased risk of heart attack.

o    Kidney disorders (which leave extra fluids, sodium, and toxins in the body), obesity, diabetes, birth control pills, pregnancy, smoking, excess alcohol, stress, and thyroid and adrenal gland problems can also cause and exacerbate a high blood pressure condition.

Consequences:

o    Ischemic Heart Disease is the technical term for obstruction of blood flow to the heart. In general this results because excess fat or plaque deposits are narrowing the veins that supply oxygenated blood to the heart. Excess buildup of fat or plaque are respectively termed arteriosclerosis and atherosclerosis. Equally significant would be inadequate oxygen flow to the brain, which causes a stroke.

High Blood Pressure (hypertension) often results from this excess fat or plaque buildup because of the extra effort it takes to circulate blood. Even though the heart works harder, blockages still shortchange the needed blood supply to all areas of the body. The body's amazing survival systems will mask the subtle damage that is occurring from this extra wear and tear, but not forever. High blood pressure is called "The Silent Killer" because the first warning sign is an angina attack or a deadly heart attack or a stroke.

Damage to the heart tissues from CVD or from heart surgery will disrupt the natural electrical impulses of the heart and result in cardiac arrhythmia (an abnormally high or abnormally low heart rate). Individuals often don't realize the aftermath and side effects that invasive surgical procedures leave. Sudden fluctuations in heart rate can cause noticeable palpitations, with an associated faintness, or dizziness, and if severely abnormal could interfere with blood flow and even initiate a heart attack.

o    Infection of the heart, carditis and endocarditis, is an additional complication that can occur as a result of a weak immune system, liver problems, heart surgery, or from an autoimmune disorder like rheumatic fever. Endocarditis is quite common in persons with compromised immune systems from HIV or AIDS. If not appropriately handled, permanent heart muscle damage can occur from the infection.

Cardiovascular Disease Prevention and Treatment Strategies

The traditional approach is medication and surgery, but several published studies indicate that a second and even third opinion should be obtained before proceeding with surgery.

Many scientific studies validate the effect diet and supplements can have for the body to heal damages to the cardiovascular system. Lifestyle changes can also make a big difference.