How does cvd affect the body

Women and men can have different symptoms related to their heart disease because they are more likely to have different parts of the heart affected. As a result, women may experience different symptoms related to their heart disease, including nausea, shortness of breath, vomiting, or stomach pain.

Men are more likely to experience heart disease that affects or blocks the major coronary arteries. This can cause the symptoms that people more commonly associate with heart disease, such as crushing chest pain, tightness, or pressure in the chest, particularly with stress or physical activity. If a person experiences angina, they may be afraid to exert themselves for fear of chest pain or other uncomfortable symptoms.

Those with heart failure can develop swelling, dizziness, and other symptoms that can affect their ability to complete daily tasks. A person with diagnosed heart disease must also live with the stress of knowing they have a long-term illness that could result in a cardiac event, such as heart attack or stroke.

The long-term outlook for people with heart disease depends upon many factors. If a doctor diagnoses you or a loved one with heart disease, a medication and healthy lifestyle regimen should be followed to prevent worsening complications. Heart disease is considered a chronic condition, and there can be complications following periods of medication-induced improvement. However, heart disease remains the leading cause of death for both men and women, according to the CDC. Seeking treatment after the earliest possible indicators of heart problems, such as high blood pressure or shortness of breath, can result in better outcomes.

Heart disease is a broad term that covers many heart-related problems and conditions, from an abnormal heartbeat and birth defects to a buildup of…. Cardiomyopathy is a disease in which your heart muscle weakens and has difficulty pumping blood.

Read about its causes, risk factors, treatment, and…. Pain in the left side of your chest may be caused by an underlying heart, digestive, or lung condition, or it could be a sign of an injury or panic…. Did you know you could have a heart attack without feeling any chest pain? Heart attacks can produce a number of different signs and sensations….

Experts say there are a number of ways to make it easier to go to bed at a proper time, including when you exercise and when you eat. Left bundle branch block is a condition in which there's slowing along the electrical pathway to your heart's left ventricle. Important: This content reflects information from various individuals and organizations and may offer alternative or opposing points of view. It should not be used for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.

As always, you should consult with your healthcare provider about your specific health needs. How does cardiovascular disease affect the body? Some effects of stroke are permanent if too many brain cells die after being starved of oxygen. These cells are never replaced.

Over time, as injured cells repair themselves, previously impaired function improves. In other cases, undamaged brain cells nearby may take over for the areas of the brain that were injured. Either way, strength may return, speech may get better and memory may improve. This recovery process is what stroke rehabilitation is all about. Heart failure can get worse if left untreated.

Arrhythmia refers to an abnormal heart rhythm. There are various types of arrhythmias. The heart can beat too slow, too fast or irregularly. An arrhythmia can affect how well your heart works. Discover more about the roles your heart valves play in healthy circulation. Learn more about heart valve disease. In the hospital and during the first few weeks at home, the doctor may perform several tests and procedures.

These tests help the doctor determine what caused the stroke or heart attack, and how much damage was done. High blood pressure can also affect arteries to other parts of your body, such as the eyes, kidneys and legs. If high blood pressure is not treated, your heart may weaken because of the constant extra demand.

People with diabetes are at greater risk of heart attack, angina and stroke. Similarly, people with CVD are generally prone to diabetes. For people with both diseases, the risk of heart attack and stroke is higher than for those without them. The reported increase in diabetes in Australia is thought to be associated with more people being physically inactive, unhealthy eating habits and being overweight. The two main types of diabetes are:. If you have diabetes, manage your condition by being physically active, choosing healthy foods and maintaining a healthy weight.

You may also need to take medicines to maintain normal blood-glucose levels, as well as making lifestyle changes such as quitting smoking. Manage your health by reducing total cholesterol, monitoring blood pressure and regularly seeing your doctor for diabetes reviews. Being overweight or obese increases your risk of a number of health problems, including:. To achieve a healthy body weight , balance the energy kilojoules coming into your body through food and drinks, with the energy kilojoules being used up by your body through regular physical activity.

Eating a variety of foods is good for our health and can help reduce the risk of disease, including heart disease. This helps maintain a healthy and interesting diet and provides a range of different nutrients to the body. To reduce your heart disease risk, follow these heart healthy eating patterns recommended by the Heart Foundation:. Physical activity is an important part of looking after your health and reducing your risk of CVD. Regular physical activity will:.

If you have had a heart attack, regular physical activity will help you to recover more quickly. If you have diabetes, it will also help you to manage your blood-glucose levels. Moderate-intensity physical activity, such as brisk walking, is great for your health. It is recommended that you do 30—45 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity on most, if not all, days of the week. You can do this in smaller bouts, such as three minute walks, if it is easier.

Try walking to stay active. The Heart Foundation has community walking groups all over Australia you can join. Walking for an average of 30 minutes or more a day can:. Studies have shown that people with depression, those who are socially isolated or do not have quality social support are at greater risk of developing CVD. Depression can be treated with medical and non-medical therapies. If you think you have depression, talking to your health professional is the best first step.

However, if you do have a family history of CVD, it is important to reduce or remove other risk factors. For example, adopting healthy eating patterns, do not smoke, and lead an active, healthy lifestyle. Generally, men have a higher risk than women of developing CVD in middle age. The risk rises as they get older. However, the risk of developing CVD is an important issue for women, especially as they get older.

It is not clear why women tend to get CVD at a later age than men, although it is likely that hormonal changes after menopause , combined with changes in their risk factors, play a role. Despite your gender and age, you can reduce your risk of developing CVD if you follow a healthy lifestyle and take medicines as prescribed by your doctor. This page has been produced in consultation with and approved by:. Allergy testing is used to find which substances provoke an allergic reaction.

Aortic stenosis may be congenital present from before birth , but is often diagnosed during teenage years. Barmah Forest virus BFV disease can cause joint inflammation and pain, fatigue and a rash of variable appearance.

A full recovery can be expected.