Heart disease is a leading cause of death in America and elsewhere. Learning and implementing heart-healthy practices can lessen your chances of suffering a stroke or heart attack. Knowledge is the first step toward prevention, so read on to learn about the different types of cardiovascular diseases, which can harm or even stop your heart.
Coronary Heart Disease
Coronary heart disease directly attacks the heart by preventing or slowing blood flow to the heart and starving it of oxygen. When this happens, the heart is severely taxed, which causes it to overwork itself as it attempts to pump the blood. This can lead to symptoms such as chest pain, nausea, weakness, and pain in the arms, shoulder, and neck. Chest pain, or angina, is a warning of a potential heart attack, which means the heart is having trouble getting blood. Heart failure, on the other hand, is a complete shutdown of the heart. Get regular checkups, watch for signs of an impending heart attack or cardiac arrest, and learn how to prevent them.
Strokes and Transient Ischemic Attacks (TIAs)
Strokes and transient ischemic attacks (or TIAs) are two more of the different types of cardiovascular diseases. These involve blockage of the blood vessels with plaque, which prevents the brain from receiving oxygen. TIAs are less serious than full-on strokes, but they’re still cause for worry, since failure to deliver oxygen to the brain can damage it. They’re also signs of a potential stroke, which can lead to permanent brain damage or even death.
Peripheral Arterial Disease
Arteries supply much of the blood to the limbs. When oxygen to these parts of the body is cut off, they’ll start to die. When plaque blocks the arteries, the arms and legs may feel the effects. Symptoms include:
- Pain and cramps while walking
- Numbness
- Weakness
- Hair loss on the legs and feet
- Ulceration of the skin
Peripheral arterial disease can lead to stroke or heart attack, so report your symptoms to your doctor.
Aortic Disease
The aorta is a major supplier of blood from the heart to the entire body, and if it fails, the rest of the body is sure to follow. Symptoms include chest pain, fainting and dizziness, extreme tiredness, heart murmurs or irregular beating, and other symptoms, depending on age. Aortic disease can cause an aortic aneurysm, which can either damage the layers of an artery’s wall or cause a vessel to burst and induce internal bleeding and even death. See your doctor immediately if you experience any of the above symptoms. Sometimes survival is measured in just seconds.
If you experience any of the symptoms or suspect aortic disease, it is crucial to consult a healthcare professional promptly. Bellmore Avenue urgent care is a trusted medical facility that provides urgent and immediate care services. Seeking immediate medical attention at Bellmore Avenue urgent care can help assess your symptoms, provide necessary diagnostic tests, and ensure timely intervention if needed.
