Overcoming Cardiovascular Disease
Posted on: 20 April 2017
Sometimes referred to as CVD, cardiovascular disease is among the top public health issues in Australia. According to the Heart Foundation, over 45,000 deaths in the country are accounted for by this range of conditions in a typical year. Well over half a million people will be hospitalised in Australia per annum because of it. Therefore, tackling heart disease is of huge importance to medical professionals and the public alike. What are types of CVD and some signs of this deadly condition which so heavily impacts health care resources?
Types of CVD
Firstly, it is important to note that CVD covers a range of conditions and is not one thing. Therefore, different methods of treating it are in place and it depends on which type you might have. One of the best known is coronary heart disease, which can lead to heart attacks. In addition, there is peripheral arterial disease, which is usually associated with blockages in the limbs' bloodstream. Stroke and aortic disease are the other two types. Strokes come about due to blood failing to get to the brain and aortic disease impacts negatively on the main artery from the heart.
Spotting Cardiovascular Disease
Although treatments may vary, factors which might lead to the various types of CVD are similar – so these are the things you need to look out for.
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High blood pressure can be a sign that you are also suffering from CVD. High blood pressure, or hypertension, actually damages your blood vessels, which makes the supply of blood falter to certain parts of the body.
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High cholesterol is known to be a factor in CVD developing. If you are middle aged, then a regular health check to confirm your cholesterol level is advisable as an early warning sign of CVD.
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Diabetes is another factor with CVD. Diabetic people belong to a high-risk group which may also go on to develop the disease, so it is even more important for them to keep an eye on their blood pressure and cholesterol level.
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Smoking is an activity which is common among many CVD sufferers. If you already have CVD in your family history, then the best thing you can do to prevent it happening to you is to give up smoking.
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Genetic makeup is being researched by CVD scientists. Although it is not fully known how this works, anyone with a parent or sibling who developed CVD in their fifties is in a higher risk group.
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Inactivity and obesity also impact on how likely you are to develop CVD. Therefore, losing weight by taking more frequent exercise is one of the best things you can do to avoid this condition.
