The United States is not the only place heart disease has become the number one killer of men and women. This silent killer is also prominent in England and Canada. A generalized term, heart disease is most often used to describe a blockage in the arteries which then cuts off blood flow to the body. This generic terminology is also used to describe other ailments of the heart such as:
The circulatory system plays an important role in the body. Its job is to supply all main areas with much needed oxygen, nutrients and blood by controlling the flow of blood through the heart.
A normal functioning body is supplies oxygen and nutrients to cells and tissue. If there is a malfunction in the circulatory process, heart disease will occur, thus affecting the bodys metabolism.
Plaque on the arterial walls or Coronary Artery Disease is caused by blockage of the blood vessels. The plaque allows for blood clots to form in the cracks which will eventually close off the normal flow of blood to the body. If this blockage occurs, it will result in damage being done to major organs such as the heart, lungs, kidneys and brain.
The heart is not the only part of the body that can experience blocked arteries. Peripheral Vascular Disease is the result of blocked arteries in the arms and legs. This condition is very serious as it can cause loss of function and disability in these lower extremities. A rupturing of these plaques causes the artery to be blocked which then can cause the skin to break down, eventually creating skin ulcers on the arms and legs. If undetected, the plaque can also break apart, allowing it to travel through the blood stream to other important areas of the body such as the heart and lungs. This breakage can bring about cardiac arrest or respiratory failure which requires immediate medical attention.
For example, a woman, born with a congenital heart disease can consider pregnancy, but the risk factors for both the mother and baby must be evaluated before pregnancy begins. Otherwise, there is a risk for maternal and/or fetal death during the pregnancy.
This is how heart disease affects the overall functioning of the body. A diagnosis of heart disease may cause stress and/or depression of the patient. Though stress and heart disease are claimed to be interrelated, clinically, no proof exists to explain how stress causes heart disease. Risk factors can be controlled for heart disease such as quitting smoking, avoid alcohol, control of hypertension, reducing high cholesterol levels, losing weight, and getting regular exercise.
The circulatory system plays an important role in the body. Its job is to supply all main areas with much needed oxygen, nutrients and blood by controlling the flow of blood through the heart.
A normal functioning body is supplies oxygen and nutrients to cells and tissue. If there is a malfunction in the circulatory process, heart disease will occur, thus affecting the bodys metabolism.
Plaque on the arterial walls or Coronary Artery Disease is caused by blockage of the blood vessels. The plaque allows for blood clots to form in the cracks which will eventually close off the normal flow of blood to the body. If this blockage occurs, it will result in damage being done to major organs such as the heart, lungs, kidneys and brain.
The heart is not the only part of the body that can experience blocked arteries. Peripheral Vascular Disease is the result of blocked arteries in the arms and legs. This condition is very serious as it can cause loss of function and disability in these lower extremities. A rupturing of these plaques causes the artery to be blocked which then can cause the skin to break down, eventually creating skin ulcers on the arms and legs. If undetected, the plaque can also break apart, allowing it to travel through the blood stream to other important areas of the body such as the heart and lungs. This breakage can bring about cardiac arrest or respiratory failure which requires immediate medical attention.
For example, a woman, born with a congenital heart disease can consider pregnancy, but the risk factors for both the mother and baby must be evaluated before pregnancy begins. Otherwise, there is a risk for maternal and/or fetal death during the pregnancy.
This is how heart disease affects the overall functioning of the body. A diagnosis of heart disease may cause stress and/or depression of the patient. Though stress and heart disease are claimed to be interrelated, clinically, no proof exists to explain how stress causes heart disease. Risk factors can be controlled for heart disease such as quitting smoking, avoid alcohol, control of hypertension, reducing high cholesterol levels, losing weight, and getting regular exercise.
About the Author:
Barb Hicks is a Licensed Registered Nurse who loves to share knowledge with others. She has an online classroom at Clivir.com where she provides more lessons on Heart Disease in Women and Heart Disease Statistics.
