For the diagnosis of Cardiovascular diseases, it is often seen that the term “Cardiovascular diseases” is misunderstood and used interchangeably for “Heart disorders/diseases”. But very few know the difference between both the terms and why are they often used wrong. This article will explain what both of these terms actually mean and how are they different from each other. Further we can read about types of cardiovascular diseases and which part of heart or vascular system does it affect.
Heart disorders:
‘Heart disease’ is a term used to represent a variety of disorders that affect the functioning and structure of the heart. It includes the heart, as well as the blood vessels associated with it. The most common types of heart diseases are: Coronary heart disease, arrhythmias (abnormal heart rates), and valvular diseases (stenosis, regurgitation).
Cardiovascular diseases:
It is very important to note that ‘cardiovascular disease’ is an umbrella term for all disorders affecting the heart due to blocked arteries and/or veins. It covers all diseases affecting the heart and the blood vessels of our body. The most common types of cardiovascular diseases include: High Blood pressure, Peripheral Artery diseases, and all heart disorders mentioned above. These disorders all lead to vessel blockage causing a heart attack or a stroke.
So how are these terms actually different?
To clearly mention, all Heart diseases are Cardiovascular diseases but not all Cardiovascular diseases are heart diseases. Cardiovascular diseases also include disorders that do not affect the structure or functioning of the heart like High Blood Pressure and Peripheral Artery diseases.
Types of Cardiovascular diseases:
There are 6 basic types of cardiovascular diseases. The diagnosis of Cardiovascular diseases depends on where and what kind of symptoms you are facing. They are:
Diseases in blood vessels
These group of conditions are causes due to the buildup of fatty plaque in blood vessels causing blocked blood vessels leading to a heart attack, chest pain or a stroke. These symptoms can be different for men and women. For coronary artery blockage, men are more likely to have chest pain and the women are more likely to face nausea, shortness of breath and extreme fatigue.
Diseases due to irregular heartbeats
In this, one can have a heart that beats too fast, too slow or my have an irregular rhythm. This condition is also called, Heart arrhythmia. The symptoms for the same includes: fluttering chest, slow/fast/irregular heart beat, chest pain or chest discomfort, shortness of breath, lightheadedness, dizziness, and fainting or nearly fainting.
Diseases due to heart defects
Some children are born with certain heart disorders (congenital heart defects). Serious heart effects are soon noticed after the birth of the child. The symptoms in the infants can include, pale grey or blue skin, swelling of llegs, lower abdomen, and area around the eyes. Less serious defects are unnoticed until childhood, or adulthood. Symptoms for such conditions can include, feeling short of breath after very less or no activity, getting tired easily, and swelling in hands ankles or feet.
Diseases caused by heart muscles (cardiomyopathy)
The onset of this disorder is not noticeable as you may have no symptoms. But with the worsening of the condition, you can notice a few symptoms like, breathlessness after any activity, fatigue, dizziness, and swelling of legs, ankles and feet.
Disease caused due to infection in the heart
One such disorder is Endocarditis, where the inner lining of heart and lining of valves (endocardium, chambers of hearts) are infected. The most common symptoms of such infections include fever, shortness of breath, weakness and fatigue, change in rhythm of heartbeat, skin rashes or unusual spots on skin, and dry cough.
Disease caused due to disorder in valves
The heart has four chambers or valves that open or close to have a direct blood flow from heart to the body. Many things can lead to narrowing of these chambers, leaking of the chambers or improper closing of them. Common symptoms of these diseases include: Fatigue, shortness of breath, irregular heartbeat, syncope, chest pain and swollen feet or ankles.
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