According to WHO Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are the leading cause of death globally, with estimation of 17.9 million people died from CVDs in 2019, representing 32% of all global deaths. Of these deaths, 85% were due to heart attack and stroke
It is important to detect cardiovascular disease as early as possible so that management with counselling and medicines can begin.
Recognizing the symptoms of cardiovascular disease is the one way of helping in understanding CVD and get help as soon as possible
Here are the symptoms and how they occur
Dyspnoea
Dyspnea so called shortness of breathing this is Inappropriate awareness of respiration
Its happens when there is Raise in Left atria and Pulmonary venous pressure, so the pressure is transmitted to the pulmonary capillaries, and Pulmonary capillary hydrostatic pressure exceeds the Oncotic pressure and lead to transudation of fluid from capillaries into the interstitial tissues of the lungs and the Lungs become stiff which led to Increased work of expanding the lungs and Greater muscular effort required in Stimulation of the respiratory system HENCE -DYSPNOEA occur
CLASS OF DYSPNOEA
CLASS 1 Normal. (No dyspnoea)
CLASS 2- Dyspnoea on (more than ordinary activities) moderate exertion.
Such as can walk at a normal pace on level ground- but is dyspneic on walking up mild inclination or stairs.
CLASS 3-Dyspnoeic on ordinary activities
this happens in Such as even walking on a level causes dyspnoea.
4-Dyspnoeic even at rest.
( NB. Dyspnoea may be associated with other symptoms like- palpitation, chest pain or cough)
Cough
This happens as in mechanism for dyspnoea, with stimulation of cough receptors.
Irritating dry cough- at night or on exertion/ Flat posture.
Relieved by sitting or increasing number of pillows.
Palpitations
increased awareness of the heart beats
Haemoptysis
this is due to Leakage of blood from engorged pulmonary veins, rupture of vessels – may cause frank hemoptysis.
Most serious hemoptysis occurs in severe- Pulmonary arterial hypertension and pulmonary embolism.
Oedema
The Rise of right ventricular end- diastolic pressures.
Rise the Right Atrial and systemic venous pressures. Hence- organ congestion and oedema of the lower extremities
Low renal blood flow worsens the oedema through causing Na and water retention.
Hepatic angina
On exertion- rise in Venous pressure - hepatic distension Hence- Dull ache in Rt hypochondrium - Hepatic angina.
Inadequate coronary blood flow.
Angina pectoris
This is when there is a critically flow limiting stenosis
An uncomfortable sensation on exertion – normally chest tightness (Constricting, Crushing, Squeezing, chocking, burning, dull aching).
Site- in the sternal area (retrosternal), across the chest.
Fatigue
Fatigue- worse or exertion due to: -
Poor blood supply to muscles and organs
Syncope/dizziness
On effort there is vasodilatation with fixed cardiac output – leads to a fall in blood pressure and Cerebral blood flow.
Most cardiovascular diseases can be prevented by modifying behavioral risk factors such as smoking, tobacco use, poor diet, obesity, physical inactivity and harmful use of alcohol and stress