Cardiovascular diseases are conditions that are associated with abnormal functioning of the heart and/or blood vessels.
These diseases can be the result of hereditary predisposition, lifestyle factors or other health problems.
Heart disease:
Myocarditis: an inflammatory reaction of the heart muscle that can interfere with the normal functioning of the heart.
Heart failure: the heart cannot pump blood efficiently to the body, which can cause breathing difficulties and other symptoms.
Arrhythmias: A disturbance in the heart rhythm that can be too fast, too slow or irregular.
Heart attack: When one or more coronary arteries become blocked, causing a sudden loss of blood supply to the heart muscle.
Vascular diseases:
High blood pressure (hypertension): Constant high blood pressure, which increases the risk of cardiovascular disease.
Atherosclerosis: plaque builds up in the walls of blood vessels, which narrows or blocks the blood vessels’ ability to pass through.
Stroke: when blood vessels leading to the brain become blocked or rupture, causing damage to the brain.
Varicose veins: enlarged and dilated veins, usually in the legs.
Ischaemic heart disease (ISCVD) is a condition that occurs when the heart muscle does not get enough blood and oxygen to meet its needs. Ischaemia is a condition in which blood vessels become blocked or narrowed, preventing adequate blood supply to the heart muscle.
ISCVD is one of the most common types of heart disease and includes heart attack and stable or unstable angina.
Stable angina: This condition causes chest pain caused by insufficient blood supply to the heart muscle. It is usually caused by physical activity or stress and usually resolves with rest or medication.
Unstable angina pectoris: This type of angina is more severe because the chest pain is sudden and unpredictable. This phenomenon may indicate that the disease is in an advanced stage and poses a more serious risk of heart attack.
Heart attack (myocardial infarction): this occurs when one or more coronary arteries become completely blocked and the heart muscle is deprived of blood and oxygen. This condition may require immediate medical intervention, as myocardial cells can die quickly if they do not receive enough blood.
Risk factors for ischaemic heart disease include smoking, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, obesity, physical inactivity and family history. Diagnosis and treatment depends on the individual clinical situation of the person concerned, but usually involves lifestyle changes, medications, interventional procedures (such as angioplasty or stenting) and surgery if necessary. Regular medical checks and appropriate treatment can help reduce the risk of complications and improve quality of life.
Stroke or cerebral vascular catastrophe, is a medical condition caused by a sudden interruption or significant reduction in blood flow to the brain.
This lack of oxygen and nutrients can cause severe brain damage, which can lead to serious health problems, including life-threatening situations.
There are two main types of stroke:
Ischaemic stroke: this is the most common type and is caused by blockage or narrowing of the arteries in the brain. This condition leads to a sudden loss of blood supply to the brain, usually due to a blockage of a coronary artery or a blood clot.
Haemorrhagic stroke: this occurs when a brain artery ruptures or bursts, causing bleeding in the brain or surrounding tissue. This type of stroke often results from weakness or rupture of the artery walls.
The symptoms of a stroke come on suddenly and often include one or more of the following:
Weakness or numbness in the leg or arm, often on one side only
Speech disorders, including speech comprehension, inability to speak or slurred speech
Vision problems, such as blurred vision or loss of vision in one eye
Severe headaches, especially if they are sudden and not part of a previous condition
