Over 60 million Americans suffer from circulatory system diseases, including atherosclerosis, rheumatic heart disease, arrhythmia, aneurysm, and high blood pressure. Atherosclerosis is the most common and can lead to coronary heart diseases, while rheumatic heart disease mainly affects children. Other diseases include arrhythmia, aneurysms, and high blood pressure, which can all be treated with medication, surgery, or lifestyle changes.
More than 60 million Americans suffer from diseases of the circulatory system, including atherosclerosis, rheumatic heart disease, arrhythmia, aneurysm and high blood pressure. Diseases that disrupt the circulatory system affect the heart and blood vessels, as well as other tissues and organs in the human body. A person of any age or race can suffer from diseases of the circulatory system and these diseases are potentially life threatening.
One of the most common diseases of the circulatory system is atherosclerosis. This disorder occurs when fatty deposits called plaque build up on the inside walls of blood vessels. Plaque buildup can be caused by fat, cholesterol and calcium. Atherosclerosis causes narrowing of the arteries, which in turn causes deprivation or even obstruction of blood flow to the body’s organs.
Atherosclerosis leads to a variety of coronary heart diseases, such as heart attacks and strokes. A person with atherosclerosis will typically develop clot formations. In some cases, the narrowing of the arteries in some parts of the body, particularly in the legs, can be so severe that it requires amputation. Atherosclerosis can be treated with angioplasty.
Another common disease of the circulatory system is rheumatic heart disease, which mainly affects children between the ages of 5 and 15. Rheumatic heart disease occurs due to complications of an untreated strep infection. This disease is caused when antibodies created to fight infection turn against the body and actually attack the valves of the heart. This attack typically causes the valves to thicken and scar. Rheumatic heart disease is usually treated with antibiotics.
Diseases of the circulatory system can also include arrhythmia, which involves an irregular heart rhythm. Arrhythmias can be present at birth or can appear later in life. Irregular heartbeats may be unusually fast or slow. Treatment for an arrhythmia can include medications, surgery, or the insertion of a pacemaker.
Some diseases of the circulatory system, such as aneurysms, affect the aorta. When the aorta is damaged, it can swell or, in severe cases, tear. In some cases, the aorta can even burst, resulting in death. Aneurysms are usually treated with medications to lower blood pressure and decrease the chances of them rupturing.
High blood pressure, also known as high blood pressure or the “silent killer”, is another common disease of the circulatory system. A person can have high blood pressure for years without being aware of it. High blood pressure typically occurs when the arteries begin to lose their flexibility. If left untreated, high blood pressure can lead to stroke or heart failure. Treatment may include medications, exercise, and a healthy diet.
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