Heart and vascular diseases are considered one of the most common causes of premature mortality. The main symptom that indicates possible development pathological processes, manifests itself in the form pain syndrome in the chest area, extending to the left. The patient may also experience swelling or shortness of breath. If you experience the slightest signs indicating possible dysfunction of the system, you should consult a doctor. The doctor will conduct appropriate studies, the results of which will either confirm or exclude pathology. Read more about the list of common heart diseases, their symptoms, treatment and causes of development later in this article.
Coronary heart disease is a common disease characterized by myocardial damage. Occurs as a result of impaired blood supply to the heart muscle and ranks first on the list dangerous pathologies. Manifests itself in both acute and chronic form. The progression of the disease often leads to the development of atherosclerotic cardiosclerosis.
Among the main causes and risk factors for the occurrence of coronary artery disease are thromboembolism, atherosclerosis of the coronary arteries, hyperlipedemia, problems with overweight(obesity), bad habits (smoking, alcohol), hypertension. It should also be taken into account that the disease is more common in males. Hereditary predisposition also contributes to its development.
TO common features ischemia includes painful sensations of a paroxysmal nature in the chest area, rapid heartbeat, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, fainting, swelling.
One form of ischemia is unstable angina. According to the Braunwald classification table, the risk of developing a heart attack depends on the classes of the disease:
Treatment depends on clinical form ischemia, but always aimed at preventing complications and consequences. Drug therapy is used, as well as lifestyle correction measures: proper nutrition, elimination bad habits. During treatment, surgery may be necessary - coronary artery bypass grafting or coronary angioplasty.
Heart failure is a common heart disease caused by poor blood supply to vital organs. Violations occur regardless of human activity (both at rest and during exercise). As the pathology progresses, the heart gradually loses its ability to fill and empty. Main symptoms of heart disease:
The pathology forces the patient to take a lying position with his head raised. Otherwise, coughing and shortness of breath will only get worse. The list of main factors contributing to the development of the disease is quite large:
Other factors that cause the development of cardiovascular failure include congenital and acquired heart defects, sarcoidosis, pericarditis, and HIV infections. To minimize the likelihood of illness, the patient is advised to eliminate the use of alcohol from his life. alcoholic drinks, caffeine in high doses, smoking, follow a healthy diet.
Treatment must be comprehensive and timely, otherwise the development of pathology can lead to irreversible consequences - this fatal outcome, enlarged heart, rhythm disturbance, blood clots. To avoid possible complications, doctors prescribe special medications for patients therapeutic diet, optimal physical activity. Drug therapy is based on the use of inhibitors, adenoblockers, diuretics, and anticoagulants. Implantation of artificial pacemakers may also be necessary.
Group serious illnesses affecting the heart valves. They lead to disruption of the main functions of the organ - blood circulation and sealing of chambers. The most common pathologies include stenosis. It is caused by a narrowing of the aortic opening, which creates serious obstacles to blood outflow from the left ventricle.
The acquired form most often occurs due to rheumatic valve damage. As the disease progresses, the valves are subject to severe deformation, which leads to their fusion and, accordingly, a decrease in the ring. The occurrence of the disease is also facilitated by the development of infective endocarditis, renal failure and rheumatoid arthritis.
Often the congenital form can be diagnosed at a young age (up to thirty years) and even in adolescence. Therefore, one should take into account the fact that the rapid development of pathology is facilitated by the consumption of alcoholic beverages, nicotine, and a systematic increase in blood pressure.
For a long time (with compensation for stenosis), a person may experience virtually no symptoms. There is no external clinical picture of the disease. The first signs appear in the form of shortness of breath during physical exertion, rapid heartbeat, feelings of malaise, general weakness, and loss of strength.
Fainting, dizziness, angina and swelling respiratory tract often manifest themselves in the stage of coronary insufficiency. Shortness of breath can bother the patient even at night, when the body is not subject to any stress and is at rest.
Patients with heart disease (including those who are asymptomatic) should be seen by a cardiologist and undergo testing. So, in particular, patients undergo echocardiography every six months. Medicines are prescribed to relieve the disease and prevent possible complications. For preventive purposes, it is necessary to take antibiotics.
At the same time, the main method of treatment is to replace the affected area of the aortic valve with an artificial one. After surgery, patients must take anticoagulants for the rest of their lives.
The pathology is often diagnosed at early stages in infants (immediately after birth, the child is subject to thorough examination). Formed at the stage intrauterine development. Main signs of heart disease:
In most cases, the main treatment method is surgery. Often it is not possible or not possible to completely eliminate the defect. In such circumstances, a heart transplant should be performed. Drug therapy is aimed at eliminating symptoms and preventing the development of chronic failure, arrhythmias.
According to statistics, in 70% of cases the first year of life ends fatally for the child. The prognosis improves significantly if the disease is detected early. The main prevention lies in careful planning of pregnancy, which means maintaining a correct lifestyle, eliminating risk factors, regular monitoring and following all recommendations of the attending physician.
Cardiomyopathy is a myocardial disease that is not associated with ischemic or inflammatory origin. Clinical manifestations depend on the form of the pathological process. Common symptoms include shortness of breath that occurs during physical exertion, pain in the chest area, dizziness, fatigue, and pronounced swelling. The use of diuretics, anticoagulants, medicines antiarrhythmic nature. Surgeon intervention may be required.
Arrhythmia is characterized by any rhythm disturbance. TO this species pathologies include tachycardia, bradycardia, atrial fibrillation. Extrasystole is also considered one of the forms. In most cases, it is asymptomatic, but as the disease progresses, a rapid or slow heartbeat and periodic freezing can be observed. Accompanied by headache, dizziness, pain in the chest area. The treatment process uses both drug therapy and surgical methods.
Clinical manifestations of heart inflammation depend on which tissue structure was involved during the progression of the pathology:
Common symptoms include pain, impairment heart rate, shortness of breath. If you were involved infectious process, patients experience elevated temperature bodies.
Not all heart diseases are listed. The list of names goes on. For example, often mental (against the background of the predominance of the vagus nerve) or physical overstrain can lead to neurosis, vegetative-vascular dystonia, prolapse mitral valve(primary and secondary form) or a disorder of another nature.
Modern diagnostic methods make it possible to quickly determine the presence of pathology and take all necessary measures. Most heart diseases cannot be cured completely, but they can be stopped and alleviated general condition patient, minimize risks or prevent possible disability.
The risk group includes both men and women, but most ailments can only be diagnosed at an older, often elderly age. The main problem in treatment is untimely access to qualified help, which in the future can greatly bind and limit the capabilities of modern medicine.
It is important to follow all doctor’s recommendations, take prescribed medications and lead an appropriate lifestyle. If we are talking about folk methods and treatments, you should consult a specialist before using them.
Usually a cough indicates a cold and flu, but if you have heart problems, expectorants do not help. You should be especially wary if a dry cough appears while lying down.
Functional disorders nervous system- absent-mindedness, increased fatigue, bad dream, anxiety, tremors of the limbs are frequent signs of cardiac neurosis.
Pallor is usually observed with anemia, vasospasm, inflammatory damage to the heart due to rheumatism, and aortic valve insufficiency. In severe forms of pulmonary heart failure, the color of the lips, cheeks, nose, earlobes and limbs changes and visually turns blue.
Inflammatory processes (myocarditis, pericarditis, endocarditis) and myocardial infarction are accompanied by increased temperature, sometimes even fever.
40 thousand die annually due to cerebral hemorrhage due to high pressure. At the same time, if you follow the rules for controlling blood pressure and do not provoke its increase, you can avoid not only poor health, but also more serious problems.
A persistent increase in blood pressure above 140/90 is a serious factor for concern and suspicion of the risk of cardiovascular disease.
Too rare (less than 50 beats per minute), frequent (more than 90-100 per minute) or irregular pulse should also alert you; such deviations may indicate coronary artery disease, disruption of the conduction system of the heart and regulation of cardiac activity.
Severe swelling, especially towards the end of the day, can occur due to an abundance of salty foods, kidney problems, and also due to heart failure. This happens because the heart cannot cope with pumping blood, it accumulates in lower limbs, causing swelling.
The first symptoms of an impending stroke may be frequent dizziness, but they are also a manifestation of a disease of the middle ear and visual analyzer.
A feeling of shortness of breath and severe shortness of breath are symptoms that may indicate angina pectoris and heart failure. Sometimes an asthmatic variant of myocardial infarction occurs, accompanied by a feeling of suffocation. Only a specialist can distinguish lung disease from cardiac dyspnea.
Vascular complications are very easily confused with gastritis or exacerbation of an ulcer, the symptoms of which are nausea and vomiting. The fact is that the lower part of the heart is located close to the stomach, so the symptoms can be misleading and even resemble food poisoning.
Pain between the shoulder blades, in the neck, left arm, shoulder, wrist, even in the jaw can be a sure sign of not only osteochondrosis or myositis, but also heart problems.
A symptom of angina pectoris may be the occurrence of such symptoms after physical activity or emotional shock. If pain occurs even during rest and after using special heart medications, this symptom may indicate an approaching heart attack.
A feeling of burning and squeezing, obvious, dull, severe or periodic pain, spasm - all these sensations in the chest are the surest sign of heart problems. During spasm coronary vessels the pain is burning and sharp, which is a sign of angina pectoris, which often occurs even at rest, for example at night. An attack of angina is a harbinger of myocardial infarction and coronary heart disease (CHD).
Severe, prolonged pain in the chest, radiating to left hand, neck and back is characteristic of developing myocardial infarction. Chest pain during myocardial infarction can be extremely severe, including loss of consciousness. By the way, one of the most common causes of heart attack is atherosclerosis of the coronary vessels.
Chest pain radiating to the back of the head, back, groin area- a symptom of aneurysm or aortic dissection.
Dull and wave-like pain in the heart area, which does not spread to other areas of the body, accompanied by an increase in temperature, indicates the development of pericarditis.
However sharp pain in the chest may also indicate other diseases, for example, be a symptom intercostal neuralgia, herpes zoster, radiculitis in the neck or chest, spontaneous pneumothorax or spasm of the esophagus.
Palpitations may occur with increased physical activity, as a result of a person’s emotional arousal or due to overeating. But a strong heartbeat is often an early warning sign of illness. cardiovascular system.
A strong heartbeat manifests itself as a feeling of disruption in the functioning of the heart; it seems that the heart is almost “jumping out” of the chest or freezing. Attacks may be accompanied by weakness, discomfort in the heart, and fainting.
Such symptoms may indicate tachycardia, angina pectoris, heart failure, or impaired blood supply to organs.
If you have at least one of the listed symptoms, it is important to immediately consult a doctor and undergo tests that will reveal the true cause of the ailment. One of the most effective methods Treatment of any disease is its early diagnosis and timely prevention.
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Symptoms and treatment of human diseases
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In the 20th century, mortality rates from disease changed throughout the world. If previously the leading cause of mortality were infectious diseases, now they have been replaced by non-infectious diseases, namely cardiovascular diseases (more than 50%), injuries (about 20%) and oncological diseases(15%). In Russia, mortality from cardiovascular diseases is even higher.
First of all, it is necessary to note excessive nervous tension (hypertension), which occurs in patients who have suffered severe mental trauma, or who have experienced strong and prolonged experiences. Secondly, I would like to note atherosclerosis, which causes coronary heart disease, as the cause of diseases of the cardiovascular system (the causes of atherosclerosis itself are not fully known, only predisposing factors). Also to the reasons causing diseases cardiovascular system, include infections - this is, first of all, beta-hemolytic streptococcus of group A, which causes rheumatism, viridans streptococcus, enterococcus, Staphylococcus aureus, causing septic endocarditis, myocarditis, pericarditis.
As a cause, it is necessary to highlight intrauterine development disorders, as a result of which congenital heart defects develop (patent aortic duct, cleft oval window and others).
The cause may also be trauma (acute blood loss), which results in acute cardiovascular failure. Some diseases can also be caused by other diseases of the cardiovascular system, for example, the development of chronic heart failure due to myocarditis, coronary heart disease.
In addition to the main reasons, there are many more factors due to which there is a predisposition to certain diseases of the cardiovascular system. This should include:
According to a recent study (March 2011) published in the journal Clinical Hemorheology and Microcirculation, taking a number of drugs that increase fluid retention in the body may increase the risk of heart attack and stroke.
Many antidiabetic drugs have this property. By increasing fluid retention, they increase the risk of atherosclerosis and, consequently, the risk of heart attacks, heart attacks and strokes.
This effect, however, may be missed by doctors because these drugs do not raise blood pressure, said study leader Robert P. Blankfield.
The scientist expects that his work will contribute to the fact that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) will begin to more carefully check new medicines, considering possible risk cardiovascular diseases and stroke when taking them.
In addition, the FDA is expected to re-evaluate drugs that are already on the market. pharmaceutical market, and for people with diabetes, Blankfield suggests paying more attention to lifestyle changes that can improve their condition than taking medications.
According to the US Centers for Disease Control, 2 hours of moderate-intensity exercise can help people with diabetes regulate their blood glucose levels, blood pressure and weight. This in turn will significantly reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease, which is common in this population group.
One of the most important is the complaint of pain in the heart area, which, when various diseases will have different character. They can be located behind the sternum or slightly to the left and radiate to the left shoulder blade, neck, left arm (with angina), can be very intense and do not go away for a long time (myocardial infarction), can occur during physical activity or emotional stress(coronary heart disease) or at rest (myocarditis), but it should be remembered that the cause pain in the area of the heart there may be damage to the intercostal muscles, nerves, pleura, diseases neighboring organs (diaphragmatic hernia, cholecystitis, peptic ulcer, stomach cancer).
Another very common symptom is shortness of breath, which occurs when cardiac function is insufficient. By its severity one can judge the degree of circulatory failure. In the initial stage, it occurs only during physical exertion, climbing stairs or uphill, or while walking quickly. In the next stage, shortness of breath appears with a slight physical activity, when talking, after eating, while walking. And in the very last stage it is constantly observed at rest.
Patients often complain of palpitations, while they feel increased and rapid contractions of the heart (myocarditis, myocardial infarction, heart defects), interruptions in the functioning of the heart (arrhythmias).
In severe heart failure, patients experience swelling in the legs.
Also, a number of symptoms are revealed when the patient is examined by a doctor. Position of the patient: lie in bed with a high headboard or legs down (for chronic heart failure), sit, slightly bent forward (for pericarditis).
Skin color: violet-red cheeks, bluish lips, tip of the nose and limbs with mitral stenosis, pale with aortic defects, cyanosis combined with pallor with narrowing of the mouth of the pulmonary trunk and thrombosis pulmonary artery. Even during examination, you can identify tortuous temporal arteries and increased pulsation carotid arteries with hypertension, and a number of other signs.
On palpation: displacement of the apical impulse (hypertrophy of the heart), pulsation of the aorta (aortic aneurysm).
Percussion (tapping): you can determine the boundaries of the heart and thereby identify hypertrophy.
Auscultation (listening). Changes in the sound of tones: weakening of 1 tone (with mitral and aortic valve insufficiency), strengthening of 1 tone (with stenosis of the left atrioventricular orifice), weakening of 2 tones (with aortic valve insufficiency, hypotension), strengthening of 2 tones (with hypertension , pulmonary hypertension). Split tones: split 1 tone (with bundle branch blocks), split 2 tones (with stenosis of the aortic ostium, hypertension). Also, during auscultation, you can listen to various noises (systolic murmur with stenosis of the aorta or pulmonary trunk, with insufficiency of the mitral and tricuspid valves, diastolic murmur with narrowing of the left or right atrioventricular orifice, pericardial friction murmur with pericarditis, pleuropericardial friction murmur with inflammation of the pleura, directly adjacent to the heart).
Instrumental methods for studying the cardiovascular system.
The most common and simple instrumental research method is an electrocardiogram (graphic recording method electrical phenomena arising in the heart during its activity). Very important method for recording heart rhythm disturbances (arrhythmias) and in the diagnosis of coronary circulatory disorders (coronary heart disease). The electrocardiogram also reflects an increase (hypertrophy) of the cavities of the heart. But with all the value of this method, it must be said that the ECG should be assessed only taking into account clinical data (complaints, examination, etc.), since various pathological processes may lead to similar changes.
Vectorcardiography is a method of spatial study of the electrical field of the heart.
Echocardiography is the most important modern method for studying the heart. It helps in diagnosing heart defects.
Phonocardiography is a method for recording sound phenomena that occur in the heart, an essential addition to heart auscultation, since it is used to record sounds that are not perceived by the human ear.
Methods for studying hemodynamics and functional state cardiovascular system.
Determination of blood flow speed: test with magnesium sulfate (norm 10-15 seconds), test with ether (norm 4-8 seconds), lobeline test (8-10 seconds) and others, it increases with fever, thyrotoxicosis, anemia, decreases with defects heart, myocardial infarction.
Determination of systolic and minute blood volume. Systolic (stroke) volume is the amount of blood that is ejected by the heart into the bloodstream with each contraction (50 - 75 ml), minute volume is the amount of blood ejected by the heart within 1 minute (3.5 - 6.0 l). These indicators decrease with myocardial infarction and heart defects.
Determination of the mass of circulating blood, normally 2 - 5 l (on average 75 ml per 1 kg of body weight), it increases with heart failure, decreases with blood loss. To assess the functional state of the cardiovascular system, tests with physical activity, an orthostatic test, and a breath-hold test are used.
Cardiac probing, this method allows you to measure blood pressure, study the gas composition of blood in individual cavities of the heart and large vessels, and more. X-ray examination heart and blood vessels occupies one of the leading places among instrumental methods research of the cardiovascular system. And a more modern method is magnetic resonance imaging of the heart and blood vessels with contrast agents. From laboratory methods use general analysis urine, general blood test, biochemical analysis(various enzymes (LDG, CPK fractions) are determined).
Lifestyle changes are the basis for the prevention of cardiovascular diseases. There is now a lot of evidence-based evidence that through lifestyle changes you can reduce the incidence of cardiovascular diseases. This includes quitting smoking, reducing alcohol consumption, normalizing excess body weight (especially obesity), increasing physical activity, changing diet (reducing salt intake, increasing consumption of foods containing potassium, increasing the diet of vegetables, fruits, fish). Also, preventive measures should include timely and adequate treatment of infectious diseases (in order to avoid future complications on the cardiovascular system), especially for sore throats.
If any problems related to the organs of the cardiovascular system appear, try to immediately consult a doctor, and not self-medicate, traditional medicine (it is, of course, useful, but as an addition to drug therapy). Preventive medical examinations, which should be carried out annually, even in the absence of complaints, with the mandatory inclusion of fluorography of the chest organs, electrocardiography, ultrasound diagnostics. By following these preventive measures, you can avoid or promptly detect pathology of the cardiovascular system.
Nutrition for diseases of the cardiovascular system.
People with diseases of the cardiovascular system are generally recommended to eat more fruits and vegetables, seafood, limit the intake of animal fats, and also eat special diets, which must be used in the treatment of diseases of the cardiovascular system, such as hypertension, heart failure. These diets are mainly based on the fact that it is necessary to reduce fluid intake (up to 500 - 600 ml per day for heart failure) and sodium chloride (table salt up to 1-2 grams per day), and food should also contain a large amount of vitamins, but it should not cause bloating. Patients with myocardial infarction during the acute period of the disease are prescribed a diet with a restriction of total calories.
Acute rheumatic fever
Chronic rheumatic diseases hearts
Diseases characterized by high blood pressure
Coronary heart disease
The modern world daily delights with new technologies and innovative discoveries, simplifying and making human life easier. In fact, the new time brings us, along with “dream objects,” corresponding diseases. Pathologies affecting the cardiovascular system occupy a leading position in this list, however, like oncological diseases, being reverse side progress.
Diseases of the cardiovascular system, especially in recent years, have begun to gain momentum and have already become quite firmly established in medical practice. Why is this happening? Firstly, the main and main reason for the prevalence of health problems in this area is the presence of numerous provoking factors, which, however, speak for themselves:
Here are the most common triggers for the development of diseases in the area under consideration. Note that the simultaneous influence of several factors creates a particularly “favorable” environment for the development of cardiovascular disease.
Diseases in the area under consideration can be divided into:
Diseases can also be classified according to the following criteria:
Today, experts identify a certain list of major diseases of the cardiovascular system:
Arrhythmia. This definition marks a pathological condition that is caused by a violation of the heart rhythm. Characterized by arrhythmia with the following markers:
Cardiac arrhythmias quite varied in their symptomatic manifestations and clinical course. The risk of developing this heart pathology is highest with organic changes in the myocardium localized in the area of the conduction system and the sinus node. There may also be a congenital anomaly, when arrhythmia is diagnosed in a newborn.
Group of hypertensive diseases. This system mainly consists of such common diseases as cardiosclerosis, atherosclerosis, IHD (coronary heart disease), hypertension, inflammatory heart diseases, as well as heart and vascular defects, where atherosclerosis, IHD And hypertension are the leaders of the greatest morbidity and mortality, being quite “young” diseases.
Cardiosclerosis is a condition that is characterized by the development of connective scar tissue in the heart muscle. As a rule, cardiosclerosis is observed when myocarditis, atherosclerosis or after myocardial infarction.
Cardiosclerosis is divided into two forms:
In the development of the first form, compensatory phenomena directly occurring in the heart muscle play a huge role. Clinical picture of this pathological condition represented by the following macros:
Myocardial infarction. This disease is characterized by a violation of cardiac activity, which is caused by the development of one or more foci of necrosis in the heart muscle. These lesions are called necrosis.
Extensive myocardial infarction- a more severe form of the disease, in which the area of necrosis has a fairly large area of damage to the heart muscle. If necrosis covers the entire myocardium, then they speak of extensive transmural form of myocardial infarction.
Extensive heart attack has the following clinical forms:
Every fifth heart attack has a fatal outcome, with most deaths occurring in the first hours after a heart attack.
Any disease of the cardiovascular system is marked by a group of characteristic symptoms that require individual treatment. However, there is a specific set of preventive measures that apply to all cardiovascular diseases in order to avoid possible complications.
The main diseases of the cardiovascular system - very briefly.
Arrhythmias are conditions in which the frequency, rhythm and sequence of heart contractions are disrupted. These symptoms occur in various congenital anomalies, acquired diseases of the cardiovascular system, as well as under the influence of autonomic, hormonal or electrolyte disorders, as a result side effect medicines.
Palpitations, periodic “freezing”, general weakness and fainting are frequent companions of arrhythmia. The diagnosis is clarified by ECG, including under load, and 24-hour monitoring. It is necessary to influence the cause that caused the rhythm disturbance. Sedatives, antiarrhythmics, and electrical stimulation are used.
Diseases of the cardiovascular system, in which there is a slowdown or cessation of impulses through the conduction system of the heart muscle, are called blockades. Causes: myocarditis, cardiosclerosis, myocardial infarction, toxic effect cardiac glycosides, anaprilin, verapamil. Distinguish incomplete blockade, when part of the impulses pass through the conducting system, and complete, in which the impulses are not conducted at all. Diseases manifest themselves as loss of pulse, its slowdown, and fainting. Treatment is aimed at eliminating the factors that led to the blockade. To increase heart rate, atropine, alupentine, and aminophylline are temporarily used. In case of complete transverse blockades, installation of an artificial pacemaker (pacemaker) is indicated.
A disease in which fatty impregnation of the inner lining of the arteries occurs, and connective tissue grows in the walls of blood vessels. As a result of the atherosclerotic process, the blood supply to organs and tissues is disrupted, and thrombus formation increases. Arterial hypertension accelerates the development of the disease, overweight, impaired metabolism of fats and fatty acids, diabetes mellitus, physical inactivity, stress. The clinic depends on the location of the lesion (stroke, angina and myocardial infarction, aneurysm abdominal aorta, intermittent claudication). Treatment is aimed at reducing blood lipid levels, normalizing diet and physical activity. Sometimes surgery is necessary.
A disease of the cardiovascular system, the main manifestation of which is periodically occurring disturbances in arterial circulation in the hands and feet. The provoking factor is exposure to cold, excitement. Raynaud's syndrome often accompanies diseases such as scleroderma, cervical osteochondrosis, ganglionitis, hyperthyroidism. The main symptoms are decreased sensitivity of the fingers with numbness and tingling. During an attack, the fingers are bluish and cold, after the attack is over they are hot and swollen. The nutrition of the skin of the fingers changes - dryness, peeling, and pustules appear. Treatment is aimed at improving local blood circulation.
Neurocirculatory dystonia (NCD, neurocirculatory asthenia, vegetative-vascular dystonia) is a disease of a functional nature in which the neuroendocrine regulation of the activity of the cardiovascular system is disrupted. It is more common in young people and adolescents after illness, intoxication, or overwork. It manifests itself as weakness, fatigue, irritability, headache and discomfort in the heart, arrhythmias, and periodic changes in blood pressure. In treatment, it is important to normalize lifestyle and ensure sufficient physical activity. During an exacerbation, medications (sedatives, natural stimulants), physiotherapy, massage, etc. are used.
Diseases of the cardiovascular system, in which various anomalies of the heart and nearby vessels are noted, arising during intrauterine development under the influence of infections, injuries, radiation exposure, hormonal disorders, medication, and lack of vitamins in food. Congenital defects hearts can be “blue” (with cyanosis) and “pale” (without primary cyanosis). Interventricular defects and interatrial septum, narrowing of the pulmonary artery, aorta, patent ductus arteriosus. These diseases manifest themselves as shortness of breath, cyanosis during physical activity and even at rest, palpitations, and general weakness. Treatment is surgical.
Persistent increase in blood pressure above 140/90 mmHg. Art. Arterial hypertension (hypertension, hypertension) occurs in 30% of the world's population and can be primary (essential) and secondary (due to endocrine diseases, kidney diseases, congenital vascular pathology). Hypertension contributes to the occurrence and complicates the course of many diseases of the heart, brain, and kidneys. Headaches, dizziness, heart pain, nosebleeds, decreased memory and performance - all these are manifestations of hypertension. Heart attacks, strokes, renal failure, sudden death- this is what arterial hypertension leads to without treatment. You can control blood pressure in the initial stage and without medications with the help of proper nutrition and exercise, but persistent hypertension requires constant lifelong medication.
Arterial hypotension (hypotonic disease, hypotension) - a persistent decrease in blood pressure to 90/60 mm Hg. Art. and lower due to dysfunction of the nervous system and mechanisms regulating vascular tone. Psychotraumatic conditions, chronic infections and intoxication lead to the disease. Hypotension manifests itself as lethargy, decreased performance, migraine headaches, dizziness, and fainting. It is necessary to exclude diseases accompanied by secondary arterial hypotension. The correct regimen and physical activity are important in treatment. Medications that stimulate the function of the central nervous system and cardiovascular system are used (medicines, herbal preparations, certain foods, exercise therapy)
A chronic disease caused by insufficiency of coronary circulation due to atherosclerosis. It can manifest itself as angina pectoris (attacks of pain in the heart during physical activity, which stop when taking nitroglycerin), myocardial infarction (necrosis of a section of the heart muscle with severe chest pain that does not go away from taking nitroglycerin and leading to severe complications), atherosclerotic cardiosclerosis (replacement of the myocardium with connective tissue with dysfunction of the heart muscle). Treatment is medicinal and surgical. IN initial stages For coronary artery disease, regular moderate physical activity and exercise therapy are very important.
Diseases of the cardiovascular system with primary damage to the heart muscle of an unknown nature, without connection with inflammation, valve defects, ischemic heart disease, hypertension. Cardiomyopathy can be hypertrophic, congestive and restrictive. The disease manifests itself as an increase in heart size, heart failure, and arrhythmias. The prognosis without treatment is unfavorable. Limitation of physical activity, use of nitrates and diuretics are used. Only a heart transplant can radically help.
An inflammatory disease of the heart muscle that occurs under the influence of various bacterial and viral factors, allergic reactions and other reasons. It manifests itself as malaise, pain in the heart, and rhythm disturbances. Complications – heart failure, thromboembolism. Treatment is rest, taking non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, hormonal drugs, combating complications.
Inflammatory disease of the outer lining of the heart (pericardium). Occurs as a result of infectious factors, rheumatism, rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, myocardial infarction, uremia. Pericarditis can be dry (sticky) and effusion (exudative). It manifests itself as malaise, pain in the heart, shortness of breath, general weakness, edema, and enlarged liver. Treatment - anti-inflammatory drugs, hormonal drugs, diuretics, and sometimes surgery.
Diseases of the cardiovascular system that affect the heart valves with the development of insufficiency, stenosis or a combined defect. Defects occur more often due to rheumatism, less often due to atherosclerosis, sepsis, syphilis, and trauma. The work of the heart becomes difficult due to obstructions to the flow of blood created by damaged valve leaflets. The mitral and aortic valves. Complications – heart failure, rhythm disturbances, thromboembolism. Treatment is conservative and surgical.
It is characterized by the development of a systemic inflammatory process with primary damage to the heart and blood vessels. The triggering factor for rheumatic disease is. The disease usually begins after previous sore throat. The heart is affected with the development of myocarditis (less commonly, endocarditis), as well as large joints. Treatment is bed rest, antibiotics, anti-inflammatory drugs, hormones. Prevention of repeated rheumatic attacks is very important.
A condition in which the work of the heart to ensure the necessary blood circulation in the body is disrupted. Develops as a result various diseases that complicate the work of the heart muscle (myocarditis, coronary heart disease, arterial hypertension, cardiomyopathy). Heart failure can be acute or chronic. Manifestations depend on the predominant damage to the right or left parts of the heart. With left ventricular failure - shortness of breath, attacks of suffocation, dizziness, fainting, angina pectoris. With right ventricular failure - cyanosis, edema, enlarged liver. Treatment is reduced physical activity, diet, diuretics and cardiac glycosides.
A disease in which inflammation inner shell heart (endocardium). This happens more often with rheumatism, less often with sepsis, fungal infections, diffuse processes of connective tissue, and intoxication. If we talk about infective endocarditis, then the main pathogens are streptococcus, staphylococcus, coli. Such diseases of the cardiovascular system occur with chills, joint pain, damage to the heart valves with the development of symptoms characteristic of the corresponding defects. Complications – heart failure, heart defects, renal dysfunction. Treatment is the use of powerful antibiotics, immunotherapy drugs, and hormones. Surgery on the valves is possible.
As you know, cardiovascular diseases occupy first place among the most common and dangerous diseases of our time. There are many reasons for this, but the main ones are genetic predisposition and wrong lifestyle.
Cardiovascular diseases are numerous, occur in different ways and have different origins. They can arise as a result of inflammatory processes, congenital developmental defects, injuries, intoxication, pathological changes in metabolic processes, as well as as a result of reasons that are poorly understood at present.
However, with such a variety of causes of diseases associated with disruption of the cardiovascular system, these diseases are united general symptoms that manifest themselves in these pathologies. Therefore, there are general rules recognizing the first signs of the disease. They need to be known in order to be able to avoid complications, and sometimes the disease of the cardiovascular system itself.
The main ones that allow us to talk about pathology associated with the work of the cardiovascular system:
Pain and discomfort V chest
Pain is one of the most common symptoms diseases associated with disruption of the cardiovascular system. If the pain is burning, acute, then most often a spasm of the coronary vessels occurs, which leads to insufficient nutrition of the heart itself. Such pain is called angina pectoris. They can occur during physical activity, low temperature, and stress. Angina occurs when the blood flow cannot meet the oxygen needs of the heart muscle. A doctor can recognize angina pectoris, or angina pectoris, already at the patient’s first visit. The situation is worse with the diagnosis of deviations. For correct diagnosis monitoring of the course of angina pectoris, analysis of questions and examinations of the patient are necessary. Required additional research- daily ECG monitoring (ECG recording during the day).
There are angina pectoris at rest and angina pectoris. Angina at rest is not associated with physical effort, often occurs at night, has common features with a severe attack of angina, and is often accompanied by a feeling of lack of air. Angina can be stable, when attacks occur with a more or less certain frequency and are provoked by a load of approximately the same degree, as well as unstable, in which an attack occurs for the first time or the nature of the attacks changes: they occur unexpectedly and last longer, signs appear that are atypical for previous attacks ( progressive angina). Unstable angina is dangerous because it can lead to the development of myocardial infarction (MI). Patients with this type of angina must be hospitalized.
We must not forget that an attack of angina can be a harbinger of coronary heart disease (CHD) and myocardial infarction. In this regard, when the first symptoms of angina pectoris appear, the patient must undergo an electrocardiographic examination in the near future, and then carry out medical supervision for the further development of angina pectoris. It is believed that such patients require hospitalization for diagnosis. accurate diagnosis, as well as to monitor the course of the disease. To identify abnormalities in the functioning of the heart, the use of a cardiovisor gives a good result. The services provided by the site project help people independently monitor the dynamics of changes in the functioning of the heart and consult a doctor in a timely manner, even in cases where there are no visible manifestations of the disease.
Severe, prolonged pain in the chest, radiating to the left arm, neck and back, is characteristic of a developing myocardial infarction. One of the most common causes of myocardial infarction is atherosclerosis of the coronary vessels. Pain during MI is often intense and can be so strong that a person may lose consciousness and go into shock: blood pressure drops sharply, pallor appears, and cold sweat appears.
Severe pain in the chest, radiating to the back of the head, back, and sometimes to the groin area, indicates an aneurysm, or aortic dissection.
Dull pain in the heart area, sometimes intensifying and then weakening without spreading to other areas of the body, against a background of rising temperature, indicates the development of pericarditis (inflammation of the heart sac - pericardium).
Sometimes pain can occur in the abdominal area, which indicates vascular diseases of the abdominal organs.
With pulmonary embolism (PE), symptoms will depend on the location and size of the clot. The person will feel pain in the chest, radiating to the shoulder, arm, neck and jaw. A common accompaniment of thromboembolism is shortness of breath. Coughing and even hemoptysis may occur. The patient feels weakness and rapid heartbeat.
A dull and short stabbing pain in the heart area, which occurs regardless of movements and physical effort, without disturbances in breathing or heartbeat, is characteristic of patients with cardiac neurosis (neurocirculatory dystopia of the cardiac type).
Neurosis of the heart is quite frequent illness cardiovascular system. This is due to the intense rhythm of our lives and frequent stressful situations. As a rule, this disease occurs after nervous overload. Heart pain can last for quite a long time - from several hours to several days. With this pathology, pain is not associated with physical overload, which distinguishes it from pain with angina pectoris. The pain disappears after the person calms down and forgets about the anxiety he suffered. Advanced cases of neurasthenia can lead to angina pectoris.
With cardiac neurosis, except cardiovascular disorders, patients also have functional disorders of the nervous system - absent-mindedness, increased fatigue, poor sleep, anxiety, tremors of the limbs.
Acute chest pain may indicate not only diseases associated with disruption of the cardiovascular system, but also be a consequence of other diseases. These include:
Intercostal neuralgia, which is characterized by acute, paroxysmal, shooting pain along the intercostal spaces (where the nerve passes). Pain points are located at the exit of the nerves (to the right and left of the spine). With intercostal neuralgia, skin sensitivity in the intercostal area may be impaired.
Herpes zoster, the appearance of which (the onset of the disease) is accompanied by pain similar to intercostal neuralgia, but often more intense. In the area of pain (in the intercostal space), so-called herpetic blisters appear. The disease is accompanied by an increase in temperature.
Spontaneous pneumothorax, which is characterized by the sudden onset of chest pain, pain accompanied by severe shortness of breath. This disease is typical for people suffering from chronic respiratory diseases (chronic bronchitis, emphysema, etc.). Sometimes it can occur in people who do not suffer from the listed diseases, during heavy physical exertion, or during strong, sharp exhalation.
Cardiospasm (spasm of the esophagus), which, in addition to pain behind the sternum, is characterized by impaired swallowing and belching.
Cervical and thoracic radiculitis, accompanied by severe pain associated with movement (turns, bends of the torso, neck).
Very often, based on a person’s description of pain, a doctor can draw a conclusion about the origin of the disease. A cardiovisor can be an indispensable assistant in this case, which allows you to determine whether the pathology is related to the functioning of the cardiovascular system or not.
Palpitations and a feeling of irregular heartbeat
Strong heartbeat does not always mean the development of some pathology, since it can occur during intense physical activity or as a result of a person’s emotional arousal, and even after eating a large amount of food.
In diseases of the cardiovascular system, palpitations often appear in the early stages of the disease. The feeling of a malfunction in the heart occurs when the heart rhythm is disturbed. At the same time, it seems to a person that the heart either almost “jumps out” of the chest, or freezes for a certain period of time.
Such symptoms of cardiovascular diseases are characteristic of tachycardia, which is accompanied by a palpitation with a distinct beginning and end, the duration of which can be from a few seconds to several days. Supraventricular tachycardia is accompanied by sweating, increased intestinal motility, copious urination at the end of the attack, slight increase body temperature. Prolonged attacks may be accompanied by weakness, discomfort in the heart, and fainting. If there are heart diseases, then angina pectoris, heart failure. Ventricular tachycardia is less common and is most often associated with heart disease. It leads to impaired blood supply to organs, as well as heart failure. Ventricular tachycardia may be a precursor to ventricular fibrillation.
With heart block, irregular contractions may occur, in particular, “dropout” of individual impulses or a significant slowdown in heart rate. These symptoms may be accompanied by dizziness or fainting due to decreased cardiac output.
Dyspnea
With heart disease, shortness of breath can manifest itself in the early stages. This symptom occurs with heart failure: the heart does not work at full capacity and does not pump required quantity blood through blood vessels. Most often, heart failure develops as a result of atherosclerosis (deposits in blood vessels atherosclerotic plaques). IN mild case forms of the disease, shortness of breath bothers you during intense physical activity. In severe cases, shortness of breath also occurs at rest.
The appearance of shortness of breath may be associated with stagnation of blood in the pulmonary circulation or cerebrovascular accident.
Sometimes cardiac dyspnea is difficult to distinguish from shortness of breath accompanying lung diseases. Both cardiac and pulmonary shortness of breath may worsen at night when a person goes to bed.
In case of heart failure, fluid retention in the body tissues is possible as a result of slowing blood flow, which can cause pulmonary edema and threaten the patient’s life.
Severe obesity, which increases the weight of the chest wall, significantly increases the load on the muscles involved in the breathing process. This pathology leads to shortness of breath, which correlates with physical activity. Since obesity is a risk factor for the development of coronary artery disease and contributes to the formation of blood clots in the veins of the legs with subsequent pulmonary embolism, it is possible to associate shortness of breath only with obesity only if these diseases are excluded.
An important role in finding the causes of shortness of breath is played by modern world detraining. Shortness of breath is experienced not only by patients, but also healthy people who lead a sedentary lifestyle. During heavy physical activity, even a normally functioning left ventricle in such people cannot manage to pump all the blood entering it into the aorta, which ultimately leads to stagnation in the pulmonary circulation and shortness of breath.
One of the symptoms of neurotic conditions is psychogenic shortness of breath, which is easy to distinguish from cardiac shortness of breath. People suffering from cardiac neurosis experience difficulty breathing: they constantly lack air, and therefore they are forced to periodically take deep breaths. Such patients are characterized by shallow breathing, dizziness and general weakness. Such breathing disorders are purely neurogenic in nature and are in no way associated with shortness of breath, characteristic of cardiac or pulmonary diseases.
When making a diagnosis, a doctor can easily distinguish psychogenic shortness of breath from cardiac shortness of breath. However, difficulties often arise when differential diagnosis psychogenic shortness of breath, different from the shortness of breath characteristic of pulmonary embolism. It is important not to miss the mediastinal tumor and the primary pulmonary hypertension. In this case, the diagnosis is made by exclusion after a thorough examination of the patient.
To accurately determine the nature of discomfort in the chest, as well as shortness of breath, they resort to bicycle ergometry or Holter ECG monitoring. High degree The effectiveness of detecting pathologies in the heart can be achieved using computer system screening analysis of dispersion changes in the ECG signal, which is offered by the project website.
Edema
The main reason for the appearance of edema is an increase in pressure in the venous capillaries. This is facilitated by reasons such as impaired renal function and increased permeability of vascular walls. If the swelling is mainly in the ankles, this may indicate heart failure.
Cardiac edema will differ between ambulatory and recumbent patients, as it is associated with the movement of interstitial fluid under the influence of gravity. Walking patients are characterized by swelling of the lower leg, which increases in the evening and subsides in the morning, after sleep. With further accumulation of fluid, it spreads upward, and patients experience swelling in the hips, then the lower back and abdominal wall. In severe cases, swelling extends to subcutaneous tissue chest wall, arms and face.
In bedridden patients excess fluid usually first accumulates on the lower back and sacral area. Therefore, patients with suspected heart failure must be turned onto their stomach.
Bilateral symmetrical swelling of the legs, usually appearing after a long stay on one's feet, accompanied by shortness of breath, rapid pulse and wheezing in the lungs, may be a consequence of acute or chronic heart failure. Such swelling, as a rule, spreads from bottom to top and intensifies towards the end of the day. Asymmetrical swelling of the legs occurs with phlebothrombosis - the most common cause of pulmonary embolism, which can lead to overload of the right ventricle.
There are several ways to determine whether your legs are swollen. Firstly, after removing clothes, in places where they are pinched, for example, by the elastic bands of socks, there are pits that do not go away immediately. Secondly, within 30 seconds after pressing a finger on the front surface of the shin, at the place where the bone is closest to the surface of the skin, even with slight swelling, a “pit” remains, which does not go away for a very long time. To accurately determine the cause of swelling, you need to visit a therapist. He will be able to determine which specialist should be contacted first.
Discoloration of the skin (pallor, cyanosis)
Pallor is most often observed with anemia, vasospasm, severe rheumatic carditis (inflammatory damage to the heart due to rheumatism), and aortic valve insufficiency.
Blueness (cyanosis) of the lips, cheeks, nose, earlobes and limbs is observed in severe degrees of pulmonary heart failure.
Headaches and dizziness
These symptoms very often accompany diseases associated with disorders of the heart and blood vessels. The main reason for this response from the body is that the brain does not receive the required amount of blood, and therefore there is not sufficient oxygen supply to the brain. In addition, cells are poisoned by decay products that are not taken from the brain by blood in a timely manner.
A headache, especially a throbbing one, may indicate increased blood pressure. However, in other cases it can be asymptomatic. Increased pressure must be treated, as it can lead to myocardial infarction and sometimes stroke.
Inflammatory processes (myocarditis, pericarditis, endocarditis) and myocardial infarction are accompanied by an increase in temperature, sometimes fever.
Problems with the heart may also be indicated by poor sleep, clammy sweat, anxiety, nausea and discomfort in the chest when lying on your left side, as well as a feeling of weakness and increased fatigue of the body.
When you first suspect the existence of problems associated with the functioning of the heart, you should not wait for visible symptoms to appear, since many diseases of the cardiovascular system begin with a person’s feeling that “something is wrong” in the body "
Everyone should remember the need for early diagnosis, because it is no secret that the earlier the disease is detected, the easier and with the least risk to the patient’s life the treatment will be completed.
One of the most effective means of early detection of cardiovascular diseases is the use of a cardiovisor, since when processing ECG data, a new patented method for analyzing microalterations (microscopic tremors) of the ECG signal is used, which makes it possible to identify deviations from the norm in the functioning of the heart in the early stages of the disease.
It is well known that the disease often develops, one might say, completely unnoticed by the patient and is detected only during examination by a cardiologist. This fact indicates the need preventive visits see a cardiologist at least once a year. In this case, it is necessary to study the ECG results. If a cardiologist, when examining a patient, will have the opportunity to analyze the results of an electrocardiogram taken immediately upon the occurrence of symptoms of cardiovascular diseases, then the probability of making a correct diagnosis, and therefore carrying out proper treatment will increase significantly.
Rostislav Zhadeiko, especially for the project.
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