In this article we will look at the main diseases of the cardiovascular system. It has a rather complex structure; it includes a large number of veins, arteries and other organs. Its central link is the heart, which ensures constant transportation of blood to all human systems and organs. This structure allows the body to function normally; it is established by nature. But various diseases of the cardiovascular system can change the natural order of things, and this, naturally, will affect health.
Depending on the specifics of occurrence and course, heart diseases can be of several main types:
It is important to know that one of the main causes of diseases of the cardiovascular system is its constant “underload”.
First of all, it is necessary to note too much nervous tension, that is, hypertension, which appears in patients after they have suffered serious mental trauma, or appears as a result of prolonged and strong experiences. In addition, another cause is atherosclerosis, which causes coronary artery disease (in turn, the causes of the first have not been fully established, there are only predisposing factors). Another cause of cardiovascular diseases are infections - mainly beta-hemolytic streptococcus A, Staphylococcus aureus, enterococcus, viridans streptococcus, rheumatism, causing pericarditis, myocarditis and septic endocarditis.
Let's continue to study the topic. The next cause of diseases of the cardiovascular system is developmental defects inside the womb, as a result of which congenital heart defects occur (congenital heart defects). oval window, open aortic duct, etc.).
In addition, the source of diseases can be injuries (large blood loss), which causes acute failure blood vessels and heart. Also, the causes of a number of diseases can be other pathologies of the cardiovascular system, for example, with myocarditis, chronic heart failure, coronary artery disease, etc. develop.
In addition to the main causes of diseases of the human cardiovascular system, there are also a large number of factors that predispose the patient to certain diseases of the organs of the heart and blood vessels. These include the following:
Diseases of the cardiovascular system are accompanied by manifestations that resemble signs of other diseases. Consultations with a cardiologist are best solution in such a situation. A person may be alerted to the following symptoms, which may be associated with diseases in this area:
Symptoms of diseases of the cardiovascular system are a reason to contact a doctor as soon as possible, who can determine their true cause and take further measures.
It is important to remember that edema due to heart pathologies is not their only manifestation. Even before this, some symptoms of organ failure can be noted.
Diseases of the cardiovascular system in 8th grade biology at school are studied in the human anatomy section.
Pain can appear in the sternum due to many diseases, not only heart ones. Neurological disorders, trauma, digestive pathologies and respiratory system, defects of the musculoskeletal system also have a similar feature.
Only the attending physician can establish the correct diagnosis, but there are also characteristic symptoms:
These diseases of the cardiovascular system in 8th grade biology are described more in simple language when children become familiar with the human structure.
By the way, a systematic selection of pharmacological medications used to treat the heart is available in “Rational Pharmacotherapy of Cardiovascular Diseases.” Being essentially an instruction for competent people, it facilitates the choice of a particular drug and therapeutic regimen.
What are the symptoms of cardiovascular diseases? They are also discussed in 8th grade biology.
It is noted that the clinical picture of heart disease is influenced by the patient’s gender, since its symptoms and treatment have some differences.
Men are more susceptible to them - mainly after 40 years. But women - after 55, when estrogen levels decrease. Symptoms of heart disease in male patients differ from female patients. Representatives of the fairer sex are characterized by:
Surgical interventions on the heart in men are more effective than in women. Medicines are more effective to use.
When an electrocardiogram is performed during the first signs of diseases of the vascular system and heart, the chance of establishing a correct diagnosis significantly increases.
Symptoms of heart pathologies in children are the same as in adults. What should parents be wary of in the first months of their baby’s life?
Poor weight gain, lack of appetite, and impaired psychomotor development may indicate heart failure. Other alarming symptoms will be: the presence of cyanosis - blue or bluish color of the lips; swelling; signs of rapid breathing or shortness of breath when physical activity(happens at rest too); pain in the heart.
If modern medicines are used, then women with heart disease are able to bear healthy child. However, there are some peculiarities. During pregnancy, a patient with heart failure becomes more tired even if she eats properly and does not strain. Special control The doctor requires a period from the 28th to the 34th week, since the heart of the expectant mother works hard at this time.
During pregnancy, diseases of the cardiovascular system are exacerbated due to narrowing of the lumens. In addition, the damaged valve has an increased load due to the increased heart rate.
If a woman has rheumatic heart changes before her intended pregnancy, she requires surgery on the mitral valve. It can be done while carrying a child, however, the actions open heart increase the likelihood premature birth and miscarriage.
Interestingly, from a psychosomatic point of view, active meditation and yoga have a beneficial effect on the heart.
Let's take a brief look at diseases of the cardiovascular system.
Often, in diseases of the vascular system and heart, their symptoms are grouped into syndromes (similar complexes of symptoms united by a common origin).
It is worth noting that with disorders of the nervous autonomic system, vegetative-vascular cardiac dystonia can develop, manifested by disorders of the heart.
Heart disease is unpredictable. First aid for cardiac pathologies, provided in a timely manner, can save the patient’s life. If you experience signs of a heart attack, you should:
If one of the family members has this or that disease, other household members should familiarize themselves with the main rules of first aid for pathologies of blood vessels and heart. Great value also plays a role in the treatment of acute heart diseases nursing process which helps relieve external reaction patient for the established diagnosis.
Cardiovascular diseases are characterized by multicomponent treatment, which is based on the use of many techniques. The main directions and composition of the complex influence should be established by a specialist. It is he who, taking into account the symptoms, conversation with the patient, external examination and analysis results, is able to select the optimal therapeutic plan, as well as determine its components.
But in some cases a person is brought to medical institution in a state where even the slightest delay can end sadly. In such cases, doctors resort to the most complex treatment methods, which involve surgery. Currently, cardiac surgeons are most often forced to perform the following operations:
The intervention of a surgeon is a last resort measure, which is carried out only if it is impossible to treat the patient with any of the other methods. Such manipulations have to be resorted to in the most advanced cases, if the symptoms of the pathology have been ignored for a long time, and the disease has caused a number of complications.
How are diseases of the cardiovascular system treated?
Treatment with medications is the most justified and allows you to avoid further aggravation of the pathology. There are a large number of medications whose purpose is to restore the functioning of the cardiovascular system. Each of them has a narrow focus and is responsible for the activities of a specific sector.
On this basis, when eliminating heart rhythm disturbances, the specialist prescribes several medications that are designed to normalize the pace and speed of contractions. To overcome the consequences of a stroke, there is a completely different list of medications. To overcome the signs of diseases of the heart and vascular system as a whole, they are used the following drugs:
These categories of drugs include from 10 to 15 different components, which are quite specific. Their appointment depends on the diagnosed disease and the manifestation of characteristic symptoms.
Exercise therapy for diseases of the cardiovascular system is recommended not only in the acute period. This is a kind of maintenance therapy. The program must take into account the diagnosis, stage of the disease, and the patient’s well-being. For physical exercise, simple morning exercises, walks in the fresh air, and active recreation are suitable.
The importance of physiotherapy in the treatment of diseases of the heart and blood vessels can hardly be overestimated. Their positive effect on the course rehabilitation process clinically proven. The goal of the procedure is to eliminate vascular tension and improve blood circulation, achieved by relaxing muscle fibers. Such techniques include:
These techniques have different effectiveness for each case. But most often, if there are deviations in the functioning of the circulatory system, massage is prescribed. Its use has a beneficial effect on muscle fibers, promotes the formation of working and reactive hyperemia, which stimulates coronary and peripheral circulation.
Diet for diseases of the cardiovascular system has great importance.
The right diet necessary to control and reduce blood cholesterol levels, prevent obesity, and improve overall well-being. You need to give up very fresh bread, strong meat or fish broth, fatty, salty fish, spicy snacks, strong tea, coffee, infusions, pickled vegetables, mushrooms, canned food, smoked sausage, fish caviar, butter dough, offal, legumes, fatty meat.
For pathologies of the cardiovascular system alternative medicine is more auxiliary method and is aimed at consolidating the results obtained during the main treatment. Means traditional therapy contribute to improving the overall condition of the body, are based on the use of various types healing fees and herbs. Their action, first of all, is aimed at relaxing muscle structures, bringing blood pressure into a stable state and vascular expansion.
In the process of recovery from cardiovascular diseases and their prevention, the following is used:
The remedies given above have a large number positive characteristics, and their use in the treatment of pathologies of the circulatory system allows for faster recovery of the patient’s body and increases the effectiveness of standard therapy. But before using them, consultation with a specialist is required, since they all have their own specific symptoms and, if used incorrectly, can harm the patient.
Prevention of diseases of the cardiovascular system is also important.
Prevention of vascular and heart diseases is carried out to consolidate already achieved results in order to prevent relapse of the pathological process. To strengthen the circulatory system, a set of various measures is used, maintaining which can achieve positive results and prevent similar problems in the future. Such strengthening manipulations include:
Preventing cardiovascular diseases will help you live a long life.
Such simple measures will allow both to restore the activity of the cardiovascular system and to make the body more resilient and stronger, and this, in turn, will have a beneficial effect on the patient’s well-being and his attitude towards his life.
We looked at the main diseases of the cardiovascular system.
The heart is the engine human body. If problems arise with this organ, there is a danger of death. After all, heart disease main reason mortality.
Studies have shown that the cause of these ailments is infection, heredity or congenitality.
But bad habits and poor lifestyle can also cause heart and vascular diseases.
This suggests that the person himself partly provokes such health problems, and if you want, you can prevent them.
Medical developments do not stand still.
Every year more and more drugs are created that help eliminate heart disease, alleviate the patient’s condition, and neutralize the consequences.
But a lot also depends on the patient. The sooner he detects the first symptoms and seeks help, the easier it will be to cure the disease, or it will be possible to prevent death.
There are many reasons why problems arise with this organ.
Therefore, heart diseases are grouped as follows:
The cause of rheumatism is considered to be a complication of streptococcal infection. When inflammation affects the myocardium, the disease is called myocarditis.
Defeat inner shell the heart is called endocarditis, the external one is called pericarditis. Sometimes several areas become inflamed at the same time, and the heart increases in size. This happens with acute valvulitis.
As a rule, it is possible to get rid of myocarditis, but the consequences remain (the valves are deformed). The degree of rheumatic heart disease depends on the frequency of recurrent infections.
The list of these diseases includes those that developed during fetal development or during childbirth. Many of them can be treated with surgery.
There are two groups of birth defects:
This group includes various heart disorders. But they do not cause organic changes.
Their main reasons:
Syphilis does not affect the heart itself, but the wall of the aortic arch, and also aortic valve, the walls of which weaken, stretch and begin to collapse. Blood ejected by the heart into the aorta enters the left ventricle.
There it begins to accumulate, which leads to disruption of the heart muscle (it cannot cope with the load).
There is a significant enlargement of the left ventricle.
Atherosclerosis causes narrowing of the arteries. The blood supply not only to the heart, but also to other organs is disrupted. Hypertension affects the functioning of the heart muscle, creating additional stress. As a result, a weakened organ and increased load on it lead to damage.
List of diseases that cannot be classified into the above groups:
Sometimes you can find this grouping option (depending on the location of the lesion):
Heart disease has characteristic signs that, unfortunately, people do not always pay attention to:
Symptoms of heart disease also include swelling of the legs. A person cannot fall asleep for a long time, and sleep is short.
For symptoms that significantly affect a person’s condition, first aid is required. The patient needs to be laid down, loosen the restraining clothing and open the window. You should call an ambulance immediately.
Sometimes providing proper first aid can prevent death.
Suspicious symptoms that may indicate heart and vascular disease should be a reason to visit a doctor.
The main thing is not to delay this matter. Under no circumstances should you self-medicate.
List of diagnostic procedures that will be performed:
Treatment will depend on the diagnosis. But often one cannot count on a quick recovery, especially if the patient did not seek help immediately.
Sometimes therapy lasts for years, but sometimes it lasts until the end of life. Heart diseases require constant monitoring. This helps to monitor changes and adjust treatment.
Particularly severe cases require radical methods (implantation of an electrical stimulator, bypass surgery, etc.).
Heart disease is often preventable. To do this you will need to follow some recommendations:
Sometimes you can come across the opinion that if you have heart and vascular disease, any physical activity is contraindicated. This is wrong! If the loads are gentle and moderate, this will only bring benefits.
You can engage in recreational physical education at any age (you must first consult a doctor).
But if this is a myocardial infarction in the acute phase, severe attacks of angina, then there can be no talk of any exercise.
Also, it is not advisable for older people to make sudden tilts of the head and torso, or to move too quickly.
You need to take care of your heart, because it is the engine of the whole body. But if this was not possible, then when the first signs appear, you need to urgently consult a doctor in order to prevent dangerous complications.
He will help make the correct diagnosis and prescribe treatment that will relieve the disease or support the functioning of the cardiovascular system.
The heart is the motor of the entire body. Global environmental catastrophe, modern pace of life, unbalanced nutrition and increased level daily stress leads to disruption of this vital important body. In most cases, heart disease leads to a deterioration in the standard of living, dependence on medications or devices. And in some cases - to disability, in difficult situations - to the death of the patient. This article will discuss what are known heart diseases: list and symptoms, modern methods of treatment, official and traditional medicine.
We will tell you what heart diseases exist: list and symptoms, treatment - nothing will be left unattended. There are many types and subtypes of heart disease. Each case has its own characteristics and specific symptoms. But for the convenience of identifying the problem, it is customary in medical circles to classify heart disease based on general signs. Therefore, we can identify symptoms characteristic of most heart problems, in the presence of which a person should immediately contact a cardiologist for further examination:
It is worth noting the fact that people often do not pay attention to most of the body’s signals. In addition, there is not always a pronounced pain syndrome of a particular heart disease. The list and symptoms are individual in each case. Neglect of one’s own health worsens medical statistics: about 40% of all deaths are the result of heart disease.
Why do heart diseases occur? The names and the list of such problems are getting longer every day. The causes of heart disease are varied. Primarily influenced by the hereditary factor, as well as various disorders of a woman’s pregnancy, which contribute to the formation of pathologies in the development of the fetal heart muscle.
Acquired heart problems occur due to poor nutrition. Doctors are discussing which foods lead to disturbances in the functioning of the cardiovascular system. Some believe that excessive consumption fatty foods and simple carbohydrates have an adverse effect on health. While other scientific luminaries claim that it is the absence of animal fats and the oversaturation of the body with polyunsaturated acids that leads to problems of the heart muscle. One way or another, we can conclude that for prevention, one should adhere to the golden mean in nutrition and saturate the body with various beneficial substances.
The health of our internal natural motor is adversely affected by the lack of physical activity, alcohol and nicotine abuse. Nervous heart disease is common. The list of such health problems increases daily.
Concomitant illnesses can also lead to heart disease. For example, metabolic disorders, hematopoiesis and blood flow.
Palpitation syndrome occurs in almost every third inhabitant of the planet. Jumps in pulse and heart rate without a reason are called arrhythmia or heart rate disturbance. This condition is not a disease in itself, but has unpleasant symptoms and is considered pronounced sign heart problems of various origins: from blood supply disorders to the toxic effects of drugs.
To eliminate the problem, you need to identify the root cause and fight it. There are also medical supplies to reduce the heart rate, for example, Disopyramide, Timolol, Verapamil, Magnesium Sulfate and others. They differ in their method of action and have a number of adverse reactions and contraindications. Self-prescription of drugs against arrhythmia is unsafe for health.
Decoctions and infusions of herbs are widely used to normalize the heart rate. You can learn more about them in the corresponding chapter.
A condition such as heart failure, like arrhythmia, is not considered a disease, but is a consequence of improper functioning of the heart. In this case, a person is worried about symptoms of heart problems, most often shortness of breath and rapid unusual fatigue. There is also a cyanosis of the nail plates and nasolabial triangle due to impaired blood supply to the tissues.
There are heart diseases, the list and symptoms of which are given below, which are inflammatory in nature:
The disease is dangerous not only because it disrupts, but also because of the possibility of developing complications in other organs. Eliminated with antibacterial agents such heart diseases have a wide spectrum of action. Symptoms and treatment depend on the severity and general condition of the patient. The course of antibiotics is at least two weeks. If you consult a doctor in a timely manner, the prognosis for the patient is 70% favorable. But deaths from of this disease. Moreover, death often occurs not only due to disruption of the heart, but also from failure of the liver and kidneys.
Inflammatory problems in the tissues of the heart muscle lead to complications and heart development. The list of such pathologies is regularly updated.
Atherosclerotic heart disease is widespread. The list and methods of their treatment are determined depending on the symptoms. Thus, coronary heart disease is extremely dangerous condition. A characteristic symptom is impaired blood flow in the large vessels of the body, including the coronary arteries that supply blood to the myocardium. Coronary disease accounts for 90% of all heart diseases. Genetic predisposition contributes to the formation of such a problem, old age patient, overweight, diabetes, taking certain medications, bad habits and poor lifestyle.
This disease is dangerous due to the development of such pathological conditions which can be fatal:
Since this disease is a common problem, let us pay special attention to modern methods of treating coronary heart disease. Depending on the symptoms, the doctor selects adequate treatment, but general recommendations such:
Such heart diseases are treated with medication. List of medications that help improve blood flow and promote breakdown cholesterol plaques, next:
The following surgical methods are used:
Unfortunately, it is currently impossible to completely eliminate this disease. Treatment methods are used to prevent the development of complications, including heart attack and slow the progression of coronary artery disease.
Meet congenital diseases hearts. The names, list, symptoms depend on the nature of the pathology. During the period of intrauterine development of the fetus, in the presence of unfavorable factors, the development of various violations formation of the heart muscle and adjacent arteries. Such birth defects are the main causes of death in newborns and children in the first year of life. Often children with birth defects hearts remain deeply disabled.
The main risk factor is genetic. The secondary factors are the following: environmental, viral and infectious diseases, chemical poisoning, nicotine and alcohol abuse, drug use by the expectant mother.
If pathologies in the development of the heart muscle are detected in a newborn, surgical intervention is often prescribed according to indications. But such a drastic method has a high level of risk. Unfortunately, the forecasts are disappointing, the probability fatal outcome or disability is very high when a serious pathology is diagnosed.
They treat and folk remedies unpleasant symptoms of heart disease. The names (list) of herbs and fruits that will help normalize the pulse, reduce pressure on the heart muscle, remove stagnant fluid, improve blood flow and metabolism, calm, improve sleep and increase immunity are as follows:
Unfortunately, from genetic and hereditary factors no one is insured. Therefore, it is impossible to prevent congenital heart disease. Everyone should know the list and symptoms of such diseases, and at the first suspicion, you should contact a cardiologist for a professional examination. This significantly increases the chance of a full recovery.
In addition, a healthy lifestyle can help reduce your risk of developing heart disease. Follow a healthy diet, watch your weight, spend your leisure time actively, undergo regular medical examinations, especially pay attention to diagnosing blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar levels.
Follow your body's signals - timely consultation with a doctor can not only improve the quality of life, but in many cases preserve such a valuable gift.
The human cardiovascular system is a system of organs that ensure blood circulation. Thanks to continuous blood flow, nutrients and oxygen are supplied to all organs and tissues of the body, and waste products and carbon dioxide are eliminated.
The cardiovascular system includes the heart (the organ that moves blood) and blood vessels(cavities of varying thickness through which blood circulates). Regulation of the activity of the cardiovascular system is carried out in two ways: nervous regulation and humoral influences on the heart.
These diseases are characterized by the formation of an ischemic focus in the heart muscle - an area poorly supplied with blood. Most often, this disorder is associated with the formation of atherosclerotic plaque in the vessels.
Types of arrhythmia:
Diseases of the cardiovascular system associated with heart damage:
To put accurate diagnosis and start correct treatment, a complete examination of the cardiovascular system is necessary.
Many diseases are based on a whole complex of different factors. In particular, this applies to ischemic heart disease, which has many causes. Moreover, different people– various combinations of factors. However, all causes of cardiovascular diseases can be combined into two groups:
Thus, the risk of cardiovascular complications increases with age. Men are more likely to suffer from coronary artery disease than women. If close relatives have “heart pain,” then the risk of cardiovascular disease increases.
The second group includes smoking and excessive alcohol consumption, excess weight, and a sedentary lifestyle.
For comfortable and easy work several rules must be followed:
Taking care of your heart needs to start from childhood. During this period, the foundations of a lifestyle begin to be laid. Children need to instill healthy habits that will protect them not only from cardiovascular diseases, but also from a number of other diseases.
The basis of the basics is a regime of work and rest, proper nutrition, and physical activity.
Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) represent the most pressing problem modern medicine, because mortality from pathology of the heart and blood vessels came out on top along with tumors. Millions of new cases are registered every year, and half of all deaths are associated with some form of circulatory system damage.
Pathology of the heart and blood vessels is not only medical, but also social aspect. In addition to the colossal government costs for diagnosing and treating these diseases, the level of disability remains high. This means that a sick person of working age will not be able to fulfill his duties, and the burden of his maintenance will fall on the budget and relatives.
In recent decades there has been a significant “rejuvenation” cardiovascular pathology, which is no longer called a “disease of old age.” Increasingly, among patients there are people who are not only mature, but also young. According to some reports, among children the number of cases of acquired heart pathology has increased up to ten times.
Mortality from cardiovascular diseases, according to the World Health Organization, reaches 31% of all deaths in the world; coronary disease and strokes account for more than half of the cases.
It has been noted that diseases of the cardiovascular system are much more common in countries with an insufficient level of socio-economic development. The reasons for this are the inaccessibility of quality medical care, insufficient equipment medical institutions, shortage of personnel, lack of effective preventive work with the population, most of whom live below the poverty line.
The spread of CVD is largely due to our modern lifestyle, diet, lack of exercise and bad habits, so today all kinds of preventive programs are being actively implemented aimed at informing the population about risk factors and ways to prevent pathology of the heart and blood vessels.
The group of diseases of the cardiovascular system is quite extensive, the list includes:
Most of us associate CVD primarily with coronary heart disease. This is not surprising, because this pathology is the most common, affecting millions of people on the planet. Its manifestations in the form of angina pectoris, rhythm disturbances, and acute forms in the form of a heart attack are widespread among middle-aged and elderly people.
In addition to cardiac ischemia, there are other, no less dangerous and also quite common types of CVD - hypertension, which only the lazy have never heard of, strokes, peripheral vascular diseases.
In most diseases of the heart and blood vessels, the substrate of the lesion is atherosclerosis, which irreversibly changes the vascular walls and disrupts the normal movement of blood to the organs. – severe damage to the walls of blood vessels, but it appears extremely rarely in the diagnosis. This is due to the fact that clinically it is usually expressed in the form of cardiac ischemia, encephalopathy, cerebral infarction, damage to the blood vessels of the legs, etc., therefore these diseases are considered the main ones.
Coronary heart disease (CHD) is a condition when, according to altered atherosclerosis coronary arteries An insufficient volume of blood is delivered to the heart muscle to ensure exchange. The myocardium experiences a lack of oxygen, hypoxia occurs, followed by -. The response to circulatory disorders is pain, and structural changes begin in the heart itself - it grows connective tissue(), the cavities expand.
factors for the development of ischemic heart disease
The extreme degree of lack of nutrition of the heart muscle results in heart attack– myocardial necrosis, which is one of the most severe and dangerous types of coronary artery disease. Men are more susceptible to myocardial infarction, but in old age the gender differences gradually disappear.
Arterial hypertension can be considered an equally dangerous form of damage to the circulatory system.. It is common among people of both sexes and is diagnosed from the age of 35-40. Increased blood pressure contributes to persistent and irreversible changes in the walls of arteries and arterioles, as a result of which they become inextensible and fragile. Stroke is a direct consequence of hypertension and one of the most severe pathologies with a high mortality rate.
High blood pressure also affects the heart: it increases, its walls thicken due to increased load, and blood flow in coronary vessels at the same time, it remains at the same level, therefore, with a hypertensive heart, the likelihood of coronary artery disease, including myocardial infarction, increases many times over.
Cerebrovascular pathology includes acute and chronic forms circulatory disorders in the brain. It is clear that an acute stroke in the form of a stroke is extremely dangerous, since it makes the patient disabled or leads to his death, but also chronic variants defeats cerebral vessels cause a lot of problems.
typical development of ischemic brain disorders due to atherosclerosis
Discirculatory encephalopathy against the background of hypertension, atherosclerosis or their simultaneous influence causes disruption of brain function, it becomes increasingly difficult for patients to perform job responsibilities, with the progression of encephalopathy, difficulties appear in everyday life, and the extreme degree of the disease is when the patient is incapable of independent existence.
Listed above diseases of the cardiovascular system are so often combined in the same patient and aggravate each other, that it is often difficult to draw a clear line between them. For example, a patient suffers high pressure, complains of heart pain, has already suffered a stroke, and the reason for everything is atherosclerosis of the arteries, stress, and lifestyle. In this case, it is difficult to judge which pathology was primary; most likely, the lesions developed in parallel in different organs.
Inflammatory processes in the heart() – myocarditis, endocarditis, pericarditis – are much less common than the previous forms. Most common cause they appear when the body reacts in a unique way to streptococcal infection, attacking with protective proteins not only the microbe, but also its own structures. Rheumatic heart lesions are the lot of children and adolescents; adults usually have a consequence - heart disease.
Heart defects can be congenital or acquired. Acquired defects develop against the background of the same atherosclerosis, when the valve leaflets accumulate fatty plaques, calcium salts, and become sclerotic. Another cause of acquired defect may be rheumatic endocarditis.
If the valve leaflets are damaged, both narrowing of the opening () and expansion () are possible. In both cases, circulatory disturbance occurs in the small or large circle. Stagnation in a large circle manifests itself typical symptoms chronic heart failure, and when blood accumulates in the lungs, the first sign will be shortness of breath.
the valvular apparatus of the heart is a “target” for carditis and rheumatism, the main cause of acquired heart defects in adults
Most heart lesions ultimately result in heart failure, which can be acute or chronic. Acute heart failure possible against the background of a heart attack, hypertensive crisis, severe arrhythmia and is manifested by pulmonary edema, acute in the internal organs, cardiac arrest.
Chronic heart failure also referred to as forms of ischemic heart disease. It complicates angina pectoris, cardiosclerosis, previous myocardial necrosis, long-term arrhythmias, cardiac defects, dystrophic and inflammatory changes in the myocardium. Any form of cardiovascular pathology can result in heart failure.
Signs of heart failure are stereotypical: patients develop edema, the liver becomes enlarged, skin they become pale or cyanotic, suffer from shortness of breath, and fluid accumulates in the cavities. Both acute and chronic forms of heart failure can cause the death of the patient.
Vein pathology in the form varicose veins, thrombosis, phlebitis, thrombophlebitis occurs among both elderly and young people. Largely spread varicose veins promotes lifestyle modern man(nutrition, physical inactivity, excess weight).
Varicose veins usually affect the lower extremities, when the subcutaneous or deep veins of the legs or thighs expand, but this phenomenon is also possible in other vessels - the veins of the pelvis (especially in women), portal system liver.
A special group of vascular pathologies consists of congenital anomalies, such as aneurysms and malformations.- this is a local expansion of the vascular wall, which can form in the vessels of the brain and internal organs. In the aorta, an aneurysm is often atherosclerotic in nature, and dissection of the affected area is extremely dangerous due to the risk of rupture and sudden death.
When there is a disruption in the development of vascular walls with the formation of abnormal weaves and tangles, neurologists and neurosurgeons are faced with, since these changes pose the greatest danger when located in the brain.
Having very briefly touched upon the main types of pathology of the cardiovascular system, it is worth paying a little attention to the symptoms of these ailments. The most common complaints are:
Pain is the main symptom of most heart diseases. It accompanies angina pectoris, heart attack, arrhythmias, and hypertensive crises. Even slight discomfort in the chest or short-term, not intense pain should be a cause for concern, and in case of acute, “dagger” pain, you need to urgently seek qualified help.
In coronary heart disease, pain is associated with oxygen starvation of the myocardium due to atherosclerotic damage to the heart vessels. Stable angina occurs with pain in response to exercise or stress; the patient takes nitroglycerin, which eliminates the pain attack. Unstable angina is manifested by pain at rest, medications do not always help, and the risk of a heart attack or severe arrhythmia increases, so pain that arises on its own in a patient with cardiac ischemia is the basis for seeking help from specialists.
Acute, severe pain in the chest, radiating to the left arm, under the shoulder blade, or into the shoulder, may indicate a myocardial infarction. P Taking nitroglycerin does not eliminate it, and symptoms include shortness of breath, rhythm disturbances, a feeling of fear of death, and severe anxiety.
Most patients with pathology of the heart and blood vessels experience weakness and get tired quickly. This is due to insufficient oxygen supply to tissues. As chronic heart failure increases, resistance to physical activity sharply decreases; it is difficult for the patient to walk even a short distance or climb a couple of floors.
symptoms of advanced heart failure
Almost all cardiac patients experience shortness of breath. It is especially characteristic of heart failure with damage to the heart valves. Defects, both congenital and acquired, can be accompanied by stagnation of blood in the pulmonary circulation, resulting in difficulty breathing. A dangerous complication of such heart damage can be pulmonary edema, requiring immediate medical attention.
Edema accompanies congestive heart failure. First they appear in the evening on lower limbs, then the patient notes their spread upward, the hands and tissues begin to swell abdominal wall, face. In severe heart failure, fluid accumulates in the cavities - the abdomen increases in volume, shortness of breath and a feeling of heaviness in the chest intensify.
Arrhythmias can manifest as a feeling strong heartbeat or freezing. Bradycardia, when the pulse slows down, contributes to fainting, headaches, and dizziness. Rhythm changes are more pronounced during physical activity, anxiety, after a heavy meal and drinking alcohol.
Cerebrovascular diseases with damage brain vessels, manifested by headaches, dizziness, changes in memory, attention, and intellectual performance. In the background hypertensive crises In addition to the headache, the heart palpitations, the flickering of “spots” before the eyes, and noise in the head are disturbing.
An acute circulatory disorder in the brain - a stroke - is manifested not only by pain in the head, but also by a variety of neurological symptoms. The patient may lose consciousness, paresis and paralysis develop, sensitivity is impaired, etc.
Cardiologists, therapists, and vascular surgeons treat cardiovascular diseases. Conservative therapy prescribed by the clinic doctor, and if necessary, the patient is sent to the hospital. It's also possible surgical treatment individual species pathology.
The basic principles of therapy for cardiac patients are:
Diagnosis and treatment of pathology of the heart and blood vessels are always very expensive activities, and chronic forms require lifelong therapy and observation, therefore it is an important part of the work of cardiologists. To reduce the number of patients with heart and vascular pathology, early diagnosis changes in these organs and their timely treatment by doctors in most countries of the world, preventive work is actively carried out.
It is necessary to inform as many people as possible about the role healthy image life and nutrition, movements in maintaining the health of the cardiovascular system. With the active participation of the World Health Organization, various programs are being implemented aimed at reducing morbidity and mortality from this pathology.
