Cardiovascular diseases! The world's silent killer

Do you know that according to the world health organization (WHO), cardiovascular diseases also know as CVDs are the leading cause of death globally? About 32% of all global deaths, has been traced to cardiovascular diseases, where 85% of them were due to stroke and heart attack.

Definition of Cardiovascular Diseases (CVDs)

The term "cardiovascular disease" is often used interchangeably with the term "heart disease". The prefix “cardio”, refers to the heart and “vascular” (in this case), it has to do with blood vessels. Therefore, cardiovascular diseases are abnormal conditions which affects the heart and blood vessels. It generally refers to conditions which could lead to heart attack, stroke, chest pain (angina) etc. Other heart conditions, such as those that affect your heart's muscle, valves or rhythm, are also considered as forms of heart disease.

Types of cardiovascular diseases

There are different examples of cardiovascular diseases which includes: Coronary heart diseases, Congenital heart disease, Rheumatic heart diseases, Aorta disease, Deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism, Hypertensive heart disease, Abnormal heart rhythms, Cerebral vascular disease, Peripheral arterial disease,  etc. 

Heart attack, stroke and heart failure can be said to be the resultant occurrence caused CVDs. It happens when there's a blockage in the circulatory system thereby obstructing blood from flowing to the heart or brain.

What are the risk factors for heart disease and stroke?

To start with, a risk factor is something that increases someone's chance of having a disease (in this case). There are two categories in which the risk factors could be divided into. The 1st are those you can control because they are your lifestyle. 

They include; 

*Inactivity

Inactive individuals at a risk of developing heart disease as their cholesterol levels tends to increase also their body fats.

*Drinking of Alcohol

Drinking alcohol can raise blood pressure, cause heart failure, and lead to stroke. It also contributes to obesity.

*Smoking

Smoking increases your chance of having a heart attack more than you may think. If you smoke, you are more likely to suffer sudden death caused by CVDs than a nonsmoker. You are at the risk dying shortly after a heart attack. Smoke generally is not good for your body, it affects your respiratory and circulatory system quite well. Staying in an environment of smokers or one prone to smoke can also affect you.

*Unhealthy Eating Habits

Unhealthy foods which could be too oily, too salty, fried foods etc are also risk factors for CVDs.

*High Blood Pressure

When your blood pressure increases, blood is pumped faster than normal by the heart, this increases the pressure of the blood circulating through the blood vessels. Weak vessels which are more often in the brain tend to burst to ease the pressure and this could lead to stroke or heart attack in the midst of a shock.

*High Cholesterol Levels

Cholesterol is needed in the building of healthy cells but high levels of cholesterol can increase your risk.

*Overweight And Obesity

Excess weight has been attributed to many feared and prominent diseases in the world at large, including cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, insomnia, hypertension etc. The excess fats can cause an obstruction to the flow of blood, which in turn could lead to so many possibilities resulting to death.

Here's how you can lose weight.

*Stress

When you are stressed, your body releases a kind of hormone called cortisol. When stressed, the cortisol secreted can raise blood pressure, cholesterol and even blood sugar. These are risk factors too.

The 2nd are those you can't control they are offshoots of nature. They include;

*Age

*Race

*Gender

Men are at the risky end. A man bear the risk of developing a heart disease earlier in life than a woman. It is though argued that a woman's risk could be equated to that of a man during menopause.

*Family history

Prevention of heart diseases

Here's how to prevent the disease

Regular exercise:

Exercising is crucial in preventing cardiovascular diseases. Exercise tends to lower blood pressure in some individuals and assists in the management of high cholesterol, diabetes, and obesity. It is important that you exercise. Moderate activities like walking can reduce your risk of heart disease and as well yield positive effects on your health.

Avoid alcohol:

If you have trouble limiting your alcohol intake or better still not taking at all, talk to your doctor about how to control it.

Stop smoking:

To reduce the risk of CVDs, quit smoking! The write up on a cigarette pack is not a joke. The earlier the better.

Avoid over thinking, anger, depression or just being worried:

Your emotions are very important. They have the ability to manipulate your blood pressure. For instance, when you are afraid or scared to death you observe that your heart beat increases and gets louder, so also when your angry or worried etc. Avoid them to avoid a high blood pressure (BP).

Eat healthy foods:

This point can't be overemphasized. Eat healthy foods! Not salty, not oily, not fried but balanced, healthy and safe. Eat fruits and vegetables they are good for your health.

Reduce excess weight: 

Reducing your weight if overweight reduces your chances quite well. Here's a 30 days fitness course to help you reduce your weight in 30 days

Reduce fat and sugar intake:

Burn unhealthy fats by exercising and reduce your fat intake by maintaining healthy diets

 

Don't take excess salt:

Salts increases blood pressure and makes your heart work harder. Excess sodium (which is a vital component of table salt) can lead to stroke, heart disease, and heart failure.

Observe regularly checkups:

It's important you visit your doctor, check your vitals and keep track of your blood pressure sugar and cholesterol etc.

Remark

Cardiovascular diseases are indeed the world's silent killer but one step at a time, we can see its end. We have a YouTube community that is missing you and we'd love you to join us. YouTube.