3 Common Cardiovascular Diseases
Cardiovascular diseases are those affecting the heart and blood vessels. Since this is the system that transports the oxygen that the other parts of the body need to function, health services Port Charlotte FL take cardiovascular disease very seriously. There are several different types of heart disease but collectively, they are a leading cause of death in the United States. Some occur more frequently than others.
1. Coronary Artery Disease
The heart is no different from the other organs of the body in its need for oxygen. The coronary arteries are the vessels that supply blood to the heart so it can keep pumping blood to the rest of the body. Coronary artery disease causes plaque to build up inside the vessels, restricting the flow of blood. This is the most common type of cardiovascular disease.
2. Arrhythmia
Arrhythmia occurs when the rhythm of the heart becomes abnormal or irregular. It may be too slow, too fast, or just uneven. There are many different causes of arrhythmia. Some of them are not considered serious, while others require treatment.
3. Deep Vein Thrombosis
The veins are the blood vessels that return blood that is depleted of oxygen from the body tissues back to the heart. A problem with the circulation can cause blood to pool in the deep veins. When this happens, the red blood cells can stick together and form a clot. By itself, a DVT blood clot can cause pain, redness, and swelling of the affected limb, usually the leg. However, the real danger is that the clot could break off and travel through the bloodstream to the lungs, where it could block the blood flow. This requires immediate medical attention, or the lung could collapse and the patient could die.
Cardiovascular diseases have several different causes. They may be genetic, related to lifestyle choices, or arising from an infection.