How Your Body is Affected by Heart Disease
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:
To better understand the affects of disease on the body, it is important to evaluate the circulatory system and the roll of the heart in it. The circulatory system, is comprised of blood, the heart, and the blood vessels that supply oxygen, blood, and nutrients to the body.
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 body’s metabolism.
Coronary artery disease is the result of plaque on the arterial walls, causing the blocking off of the blood vessels. Blood clots form in the cracks of the plaque, which can grow to close off the artery to the normal flow of blood. If the flow of blood is blocked, it will have a major impact on the other organs of the body, namely, the heart, lungs, kidneys, and brain.
Peripheral vascular disease is a result of blocked arteries in the arms or legs. It may disturb the ability to move the extremities, which can lead to disability. At times, these plaques can rupture, leading to the closure of the artery. It can also cause the skin to break down causing skin ulcers of the lower extremities. Additionally, plaque can break off and travel through the blood stream to the heart or lungs causing cardiac or respiratory arrest. This is an emergency situation requiring immediate attention or it can lead to the death of the patient.
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.
These are ways heart disease affects the body as a whole. Often times, a diagnosis of heart disease can lead a patient into depression or extreme stress. While there is the belief that stress and heart disease are related, there has not yet been any scientific evidence to back it up. Prevention is the key. Making healthy choices regarding, weight, not smoking, avoiding alcohol, controlling high blood pressure, lowering cholesterol and getting daily exercise are all great ways to living a healthier, longer life.
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- The Affects of Heart Disease on the Body Complications from heart disease are the leading cause of death in the United States, England and Canada. Heart disease refers to the narrowing of the coronary arteries, blocking the flow of blood to the body. The term heart disease comprises many heart conditions such as:...
- What is Ischemic Heart Disease – Are You At Risk? Ischemic heart disease is defined as decreased blood flow to the heart due to narrowed coronary arteries. The obstruction results from cholesterol deposits sticking to the artery wall interrupting the flow of blood to the heart. The deposits harden causing hardening of the arteries. This is called atherosclerosis, which is a medical term sometimes interchanged with arteriosclerosis. Both have the same affect, whereby both impede blood flow to the heart....
- The Risk Factors for Ischemic Heart Disease Narrowed coronary arteries cause a decrease in blood flow to the heart. This ailment is also referred to as Ischemic Heart Disease. The reason for the narrowed arteries is cholesterol deposits sticking to the artery wall, thus creating a blockage that hampers the free flow of blood to the heart. These deposits harden and cause the arteries to harden as well. The medical term used to describe this is atherosclerosis. In addition, this term is most often interchangeable with arteriosclerosis. Both of these ailments are identical in that they both prevent blood flow from reaching the heart....
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Written by Barb Hicks on December 10th, 2009 with
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