What Is Heart Disease And What Are The Symptoms?

By Lena Stephenson


Heart disease is a general name used for conditions affecting the entire cardiovascular system. The areas affected include the rhythm and blood vessels. There are conditions affecting children and can be detected at birth. A look at these conditions will demystify what is heart disease. The other name used is cardiovascular conditions.

The conditions related to the cardiovascular system include narrowing of blood vessels or blockage. These conditions are likely to lead to heart attacks, pain and even stroke. This description also captures conditions that affect muscles, valves and the rhythm. The best treatment for these conditions is making the right lifestyle choices.

A patient will exhibit symptoms depending on the condition that is manifested. Narrowing, stiffness and blocking of blood vessels means that crucial organs like the brain are denied adequate blood supply. The signs in men might differ slightly with what women display. What is observed in women in most of the cases is nausea, shortness of breath and extreme fatigue.

Weak feet, numbness and cold feet indicate that your cardiovascular system has a problem and therefore is unable to pump blood effectively to the limbs. Cold limbs are an indication of narrow vessels. Other danger signs include painful neck, jaw, throat, neck and upper abdomen. The earliest diagnosis includes heart attack or failure, angina or stroke.

Abnormal heartbeats are a sign of cardiovascular problems. They include slow, fast and irregular heartbeats. Other signs that should be a source of concern include chest pains, discomfort, lightheadedness and racing heartbeats. Fainting, near fainting and dizziness should be a cause for alarm.

Congenital defects are detected at birth. The affected children display such symptoms as short breath during exercise or activity, easily getting tired and swelling of hands, ankles and feet. Some of these conditions are not immediately life threatening but require attention to ensure normal growth. They can be corrected at an early age, but they get complicated over time.

The weakness of cardiovascular muscles is usually attributed to thickening or stiffness. The signs are not easily detected in the early stages but they will appear as the situation gets worse. They include breathlessness with exertion or at rest, swollen feet, legs or ankles as well as dizziness, lightheaded feeling and fainting.

Infections affecting the cardiovascular system require medical attention. They affect surrounding and connected muscles, membranes and tissues. A patient will display particular symptoms depending on the condition he or she is suffering. The common ones are weakness, fatigue, short breath, dry and persistent cough, unusual spots and skin rashes.

The damage caused by valvular diseases leads to narrow, leaking or improper closing of the chambers. The affected chamber and level of attack will determine the difference in symptoms. The most common ones are chest pains, fainting, fatigue and shortness of breath.

It is advisable to see the doctor if you experience such common cardiovascular related symptoms as shortness of breath, fatigue or fainting and chest pains. Early detection leads to successful treatment in most cases. There are steps that you can take to reduce risks or slow the development of a condition. People with family history are most susceptible and should therefore see a doctor.




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