CADIOVASCULAR DISEASES
Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are disorders of the heart and blood vessels.
Theme: A simple promise… for MY HEART for YOUR HEART, for ALL OUR HEARTS
FACTS
- Cardiovascular diseases take the lives of 17.9 million people yearly which are 31% of all global deaths.
- 75% of CVD deaths occur in low and middle income countries.
- 85% of CVD deaths are due to heart attacks and stroke.
- This disease manifests primarily as heart attacks and strokes.
- They are triggered by tobacco use, unhealthy diet, physical inactivity and harmful use of alcohol.[i]
DISEASES OF THE HEART
- Congenital heart diseases commonest being ventricular septal.
- Infectious heart disease e.g. infective endocarditis defect.
- Diseases of the heart valves e.g. rheumatic heart disease
- Tumors of the heart
- Heart failure e.g. congestive heart failure
- Cardiomyopathy e.g. dilated cardiomyopathy
- Ischemic heart disease, what is commonly known as heart attack
- Arrhythmia e.g. ventricular fibrillation
- Auto Immune Diseases
DISEASES OF THE BLOOD VESSELS
- Hypertension
- Arteritis/ Vasculitides
- Thromboembolism
- Auto Immune Diseases
REDUCING RISK OF CVD
- Individuals must check their blood pressure regularly, and if you have high blood pressure, take steps to control high blood pressure.
- Individuals must take control of their heart health, by understanding theirs and their families’ risk of CVD and acting to improve it
- Premature death from CVD could be avoided if the four main risk factors; tobacco use, unhealthy diet, physical inactivity and harmful use of alcohol were controlled.
- Having diabetes doubles your risk of diabetic heart disease, so get tested, and if you have it, manage it properly.
- Lifestyle changes can make a powerful difference to our heart health.
- Maintaining healthy weight may reduce the risk of hypertension
- High sodium intake harms cardiac structure.[ii]
Heart disease is easier to treat when detected early, so talk to your doctor about your concerns regarding your heart health. If you’re concerned about developing heart disease, you can talk to a doctor at Royal Victoria Medical Centre about steps you can take to reduce your heart disease risk. This is especially important if you have a family history of heart disease.
If you think you may have heart disease, based on new signs or symptoms you’re having, make an appointment with us to see a doctor. You may also have your Blood pressure and BMI checked for free at Royal Victoria Medical Centre.
[i] www.worldheartfederation.org
[ii] Cvd site:who.int
