Cardiovascular diseases

What are cardiovascular diseases?

Cardiovascular diseases include coronary heart disease (heart attacks), cerebrovascular disease, raised blood pressure (hypertension), peripheral artery disease, rheumatic heart disease, congenital heart disease and heart failure. The major causes of cardiovascular disease are tobacco use, physical inactivity, and an unhealthy diet.

Globally, cardiovascular diseases are the number one cause of death and is projected to remain so. An estimated 17.5 million people died from cardiovascular disease in 2005, representing 30 % of all global deaths. Of these deaths, 7.6 million were due to heart attacks and 5.7 million due to stroke. About 80% of these deaths occurred in low- and middle-income countries. If current trends are allowed to continue, by 2015 an estimated 20 million people will die from cardiovascular disease (mainly from heart attacks and strokes).

What causes heart attacks and strokes?

Heart attacks and strokes are mainly caused by a blockage that prevents blood from flowing to the heart or the brain. The most common cause is a build-up of fatty deposits on the inner walls of the blood vessels that supply the heart or brain. The blood vessels become narrower and less flexible, also known as atherosclerosis (or hardening of the arteries). The blood vessels are then more likely to become blocked by blood clots. When this happens, the blocked vessels cannot supply blood to the heart and brain, which then become damaged.

What are common symptoms of cardiovascular diseases?

• Often, there are no symptoms of the underlying disease of the blood vessels. A heart attack or stroke may be the first warning of underlying disease.
• Symptoms of a heart attack include: pain or discomfort in the centre of the chest; pain or discomfort in the arms, the left shoulder, elbows, jaw, or back. In addition the person may experience difficulty in breathing or shortness of breath; feeling sick or vomiting; feeling light-headed or faint; breaking into a cold sweat; and becoming pale.
• Women are more likely to have shortness of breath, nausea, vomiting, and back or jaw pain.
• The most common symptom of a stroke is sudden weakness of the face, arm, or leg, most often on one side of the body. Other symptoms include sudden onset of: numbness of the face, arm, or leg, especially on one side of the body; confusion, difficulty speaking or understanding speech; difficulty seeing with one or both eyes; difficulty walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination; severe headache with no known cause; and fainting or unconsciousness.
• People experiencing these symptoms should seek medical care immediately.

Why does fat build up in blood vessels?

There are three main reasons for fatty build-up, all controllable:

• Smoking and other tobacco use
• Unhealthy diet; and
• Physical inactivity.

An early form of fatty deposits, known as ''fatty streaks'', can even be found in some children younger than 10 years. These deposits get slowly worse as the person gets older.

Key messages to protect heart health:

• Heart attacks and strokes are major - but preventable - killers worldwide.
• Over 80% of cardiovascular disease deaths take place in low-and middle-income countries and occur almost equally in men and women. Cardiovascular risk of women is high particularly after menopause.
• Tobacco use, an unhealthy diet, and physical inactivity increase the risk of heart attacks and strokes.
• Cessation of tobacco use reduces the chance of a heart attack or stroke.
• Engaging in physical activity for at least 30 minutes every day of the week will help to prevent heart attacks and strokes.
• Eating at least five servings of fruit and vegetables a day, and limiting your salt intake to less than one teaspoon a day, also helps to prevent heart attacks and strokes.
• High blood pressure has no symptoms, but can cause a sudden stroke or heart attack. Have your blood pressure checked regularly.
• Diabetes increases the risk of heart attacks and stroke. If you have diabetes control your blood pressure and blood sugar to minimize your risk.
• Being overweight increases the risk of heart attacks and strokes. To maintain an ideal body weight, take regular physical activity and eat a healthy diet.
• Heart attacks and strokes can strike suddenly and can be fatal if assistance is not sought immediately.

ARTICLE SOURCE: www.who.int