What Is Cardiovascular Disease?

Cardiovascular diseases are conditions that impact the function of your heart or blood vessels. The disease type is defined by the part of the cardiovascular system damaged. Some are caused by blood vessels being blocked or narrowed while others are the result of heart muscles or tissues deteriorating. If the disease is left untreated, it can reduce your circulation and cause damage to other parts of the body.

By understanding the risk factors and signs of cardiovascular disease, you can protect your own health or that of loved ones. Find out everything you need to know in this guide.

Types of Cardiovascular Disease

The particular type of disease is determined by the part of your cardiovascular system affected. Some of the most common conditions are:

• Coronary heart disease is when oxygenated blood supply to the heart’s tissues and muscles is reduced or blocked by the build up of fatty deposits in coronary arteries. This strains the organ and causes further damage if untreated
• Strokes or TIAs are when the blood supply to an area of the brain is cut off or temporarily disrupted, causing cells to deteriorate and leading to a loss of organ function. This can be the result of narrowed or blocked blood vessels
• Heart failure is when the organ isn’t fully functioning or circulating blood effectively, meaning the rest of the body doesn’t get the supply it needs
• Arrhythmia is when a heartbeat has an abnormal rhythm, with bradycardia meaning it’s too slow and tachycardia being too fast. This can cause problems with blood supply to the rest of the body
• Aortic aneurysms or valve conditions can lead to malfunctioning or permanent damage in the heart, which can be debilitating or life threatening in the worst cases

Cardiovascular Disease Risk Factors

• Certain genetics, pre-existing conditions and lifestyle factors can increase individuals’ likelihood of cardiovascular disease. These include:
• Being overweight or obese (a BMI of more than 25 or a waist measurement of more than half your height) can lead to other high risk conditions or a build-up of fatty deposits in vessels
• Gender, with men being more likely than women to get cardiovascular disease at a younger age
• Age, with older individuals being at higher risk
• A family history of cardiovascular problems
• Being of South Asian, Black African or African Caribbean background
• High blood pressure, which can damage blood vessels
• High cholesterol, which is an indication of fatty substances that can block or narrow blood vessels
• Smoking leads artery walls to become sticky, increasing the likelihood of blockages
• Drinking alcohol can lead to other conditions like high blood pressure, arrhythmias or being overweight which in turn make cardiovascular disease more likely
• A lack of exercise, which can contribute to other risk factors and means the heart isn’t as healthy as it could be
• Kidney disease or reduced kidney function means the heart has to work harder, which can cause damage or drops in efficiency
• Diabetes means high blood sugar levels are more likely, causing damage to blood vessels

Signs You May Have Cardiovascular Disease

Symptoms of cardiovascular disease vary depending on the exact condition. They can come on suddenly or over time and differ from one person to another, so it’s important to be aware and alert to the signs.

Heart failure symptoms can include:

• Shortness of breath after an activity or while resting, it may also be worsened by lying down or cause a persistent cough
• Swollen limbs caused by the build-up of fluid in the ankles and legs
• Fatigue at all times of day that worsens after exercise
• Lightheadedness and fainting

These differ from signs of a heart attack, which are:

• Chest pain, pressure or tightness that can vary in intensity from minor (similar to indigestion) to severe
• Discomfort or pain in other parts of the body, including the arms, jaw, neck, back and stomach
• Lightheadedness or dizziness
• Shortness of breath, coughing and wheezing
• Sickness and sweating
• Feelings of anxiety

Strokes can happen in any part of the brain, meaning symptoms can vary in intensity and type, though they may include:

• Weakness or loss of function in the face, arm or legs that can cause movement difficulties or loss of balance
• Headaches, lightheadedness, confusion, memory loss or fainting
• Problems or difficulties speaking
• Blurred or lost vision in one or both eyes

Arrhythmia can show itself in several ways, such as:

• Palpitations or a pounding chest
• Chest pain or discomfort
• Shortness of breath
• Tiredness or weakness
• Sweating
• Fainting or dizziness
• Feelings of anxiety

If you spot or experience any of the symptoms above, then it’s important to seek medical attention as soon as possible.

Can You Live with Cardiovascular Disease?

Your ability to live with cardiovascular disease depends on the type, causes and severity of your condition. To diagnose the problem and find the treatment, a medical professional may run blood tests, X-rays, electrocardiograms, echocardiograms, CT or MRI scans.

Based on the results of these investigations, doctors may recommend treatments such as medications, surgery or the installation of stents, an ICD or pacemaker. They may also suggest lifestyle changes which can help you live with cardiovascular disease, including:

• Regular exercise, which helps to maintain heart health
• Eating fat, sugar and salt in moderation to reduce the likelihood of fatty build-ups in heart vessels
• Quit smoking to ensure healthy artery and heart function
• Reduce alcohol consumption to fewer than 14 units a week to keep blood pressure and weight low
• Losing weight if needed to minimise risk factors

A combination of medicines, specialised heart care and lifestyle changes can make it possible to live with cardiovascular disease.

Supporting Someone with Heart Problems

If a friend or family member has been diagnosed with heart problems, then it can be helpful to be fully informed about their exact condition and treatment needs. That way, you can support them with the right advice. This could be encouraging them to stay active, eat healthily and take plenty of rest, particularly if they’re recovering from surgery.

Helping them stay on top of their medical appointments and medication regime can relieve stress or anxiety that could hamper their recovery. Making time to sit down for proper chats and holding space for them to emotionally offload when they need it is also important as they navigate their condition and its impacts.

How TAAS Supports Cardiovascular Patients

If a patient is suffering from a cardiovascular emergency, it’s essential they get medical attention as soon as possible. Our critical care medical team and pilots attend to these incidents across five counties within a few minutes of calls being made. To find out about how you can support our lifesaving work or to get answers to your questions, get in touch with our team.