Your circulatory system, also called the cardiovascular system, consists of the heart and blood vessels, (arteries and veins) that run throughout your body. Your arteries carry oxygenated blood and deliver nutrients and oxygen to your all body organs, while veins carry deoxygenated blood and deliver it to your heart for purification. A variety of diseases can affect your circulatory system, some of the most common ones are discussed below in brief:
Heart attack
Medically known as Myocardial Infarction (MI), heart attack occurs when the blood supply is cut off from the heart, usually by a blood clot in arteries. While some heart attacks are minor, others can be life-threatening and cause fatality.
Atherosclerosis
This circulatory system disease occurs due to the hardening of arteries which is typically caused by a diet high in fat that leaves fatty deposits on the lining of the blood vessels, making them hard. This can result in hypertension or high blood pressure that can damage your heart or kidney, or lead to a stroke.
Angina pectoris
The condition is characterized by pain in the chest. The condition occurs if your heart is not getting enough supply of blood. The person suffering from angina pectoris feels a crushing sensation of feeling like their chest is in a vice. The person also experiences breathlessness, nausea and fatigue.
Heart failure
The condition occurs when your heart is not pumping blood around your body as efficiently and to its optimum output for your body organs to receive its enough supply. It can lead to shortness of breath, fatigue and coughing. The person feels exhausted while climbing stairs, walking or carrying light goods, such as groceries.
High cholesterol
The condition is often the result of a sedentary lifestyle and an unbalanced diet. The buildup of too much of cholesterol can form a thick layer on the inside of your blood vessels, hindering the smooth flow of blood.
Abdominal aortic aneurism
A bulge in the weakened part of your aorta occurs, which is the largest blood vessel in your body. Aorta carries blood from your heart to your abdomen, legs, and pelvis. Its rupture can cause heavy internal bleeding, which is a life-threatening condition.
Stroke
A stroke can happen when one of the vessels supplying blood to your brain is either blocked by a blood clot or bursts. This stops the smooth and sufficient supply of blood to the brain and prevents it from getting an adequate supply of oxygen, affecting its normal functioning.
Peripheral artery disease (PAD)
PAD refers to the narrowing of arteries leading to the legs, stomach, arms and head. The reduced blood flow to these organs can damage their tissues and cells. Peripheral artery disease usually occurs in older age.
When is the time to seek medical attention?
Circulatory diseases can have modifiable and non-modifiable risk factors. Modifiable risk factors include being overweight, smoking, overuse of alcohol, lack of exercise, and high level of stress. Non-modifiable risk factors include advanced age, family history of heart diseases, and maleness. Heart attacks, stroke, heart failure and ruptured abdominal aortic aneurisms are medical emergencies that require immediate medical attention. If anyone is experiencing any of these symptoms, the person should be immediately taken to the emergency room.
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