Rising Evils of Modern Era: Cardiovascular Diseases | Alumni Association | College of Pharmacy

Introduction

The cardiovascular system is composed of the Heart, Blood vessels, and blood. Its function is to circulate blood all over the body ultimately leading to the distribution of oxygen, nutrients, water, electrolytes, Hormones, etc.; remove metabolic wastes and maintain thermoregulation.

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Diseases of the heart or blood vessels are termed as Cardiovascular Diseases (CVD) some of them are termed as Hypertension, Heart Failure, Coronary Artery Disease, and Heart Attack.

The rise of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) in the modern era is a critical health crisis. The growing prevalence of CVDs, even after being largely preventable, has severe consequences for both individuals and healthcare systems. Leading causes of death worldwide are lifestyle changes, technological advances, and dietary shifts have played a significant role in the rise of CVDs.

CVDs?

Hypertension (High Blood Pressure)

The force of blood against the walls of your arteries is consistently too high (above 180/120 mm Hg), which can lead to serious health problems. High blood pressure increases the heart's workload and can lead to heart failure, stroke, and kidney damage if untreated.

Symptoms

Blurred Vision: High blood pressure affects the blood vessels in the eyes, which causes visual disturbances or leads to blurred vision.
Chest Pain: High blood pressure leads to discomfort in the chest.
Nosebleeds: Nosebleeds can be a symptom of high blood pressure, particularly if blood pressure is extremely elevated.
Headaches: Severe headaches are common in cases of hypertension.
Dizziness: High blood pressure causes feelings of dizziness, during sudden spikes.

Coronary Artery Disease (CAD)

coronary arteries, which supply blood to the heart muscle, become narrowed or blocked due to the buildup of plaque (a combination of fat, cholesterol, and other substances). This plaque buildup, called atherosclerosis, reduces blood flow to the heart and can lead to various serious health complications, including chest pain, heart attacks, and other complications.

Symptoms

Symptoms vary widely depending on the severity of artery blockage and how it affects blood flow to the heart. In some cases, people may not experience any symptoms until a major event, like a heart attack, occurs.

Angina: Chest Pain, Discomfort, pressure, tightness, or a squeezing sensation in the chest and it may spread to the shoulders, arms, neck, jaw, or back.
Shortness of Breath: Breathing becomes harder due to reduced blood flow to the heart not only during physical activities may even during rest.
Fatigue: People with CAD feel tired or weak because the heart works hard to pump blood to all the body organs.
Dizziness: Insufficient Blood Flow to the Brain due to blockage or narrowing of arteries leads the person to feel faint.

Heart Failure

This occurs when the heart muscles are unable to pump blood effectively to the lungs, brain, and other body organs leading to fluid buildup, shortness of breath, and fatigue.

Symptoms

Shortness of Breath: Lack of blood supply leads to the building up of fluid in the lungs which shortens breathing.
Fatigue and Weakness: Reduced ability of the heart to deliver oxygenated blood to muscles and organs causes weakness and fatigue.
Edema: Swelling is observed in legs, ankles, feet, and abdomen due to fluid retention which is a result of poor blood supply.
Nausea: A decreased supply of blood to the organs of the digestive system leads to discomfort, feeling of fullness, and Lack of Appetite.

Arrhythmia

The electrical signals that coordinate the heart's beats do not function properly and result in irregular heartbeat or abnormal heart rhythm. Abnormal heart rhythms can be life-threatening and include conditions like atrial fibrillation and ventricular fibrillation.

Symptoms

Fatigue: Low blood flow can cause tiredness or weakness.
Dizziness
Palpitations: a feeling of a rapid, irregular, or pounding heartbeat that can be felt in the chest, throat, or neck.
Fainting: loss of consciousness caused by a sudden drop in blood pressure and reduced blood flow to the brain.

Stroke

A stroke happens when the blood flow to any part of the brain is interrupted, which may be due to a blockage or rupture of blood vessels (hemorrhage). Rupture or Blockage ultimately prevents oxygen supply to tissues.

Symptoms

Speech Difficulty: The person has difficulty speaking or repeating a simple sentence correctly. Slurred speech causes trouble in understanding speech.
Loss of Coordination: The cerebellum part of the brain which controls balance and coordination or other areas related to movement are affected & cause difficulties in walking, balance issues, and loss of coordination.
Behavioral Changes: The frontal lobe that controls emotions, personality, and behavior is affected & leads to sudden changes in mood, impulsive behavior, confusion, or even aggression.
Seizures: Sometimes electrical activity gets disturbed and symptoms of epilepsy or seizures are observed.

Lifestyle Risk Factors

Diet High in Salt: Excessive sodium intake contributes to fluid retention and raises blood pressure.
Sedentary Lifestyle: Lack of physical activity can lead to weight gain and weakened heart health.
Excessive Alcohol and Caffeine: Both can raise blood pressure; especially if consumed in large amounts.
Stress: Chronic stress can lead to temporary blood pressure spikes, and poor stress management may contribute to long-term hypertension.

Preventive Measures

Promote Regular Physical Activity: Encourage at least 150 minutes of moderate exercise weekly.
Healthy Diets: Educate people on heart-friendly diets, rich in vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and lean proteins, while reducing salt and sugar intake.
Mental Health Support: Stress management techniques, such as mindfulness, meditation, and counseling, can help mitigate CVD risk.
Smoking Cessation Programs: Programs to help individuals quit smoking and reduce alcohol consumption can make a significant impact.
Regular Health Screenings: Routine check-ups for blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar levels are essential in early detection and management.

References

Crafted By: Subham Yadav, B Pharm 23