Cardiovascular disease - P2: Causes - Prevention

The article was written by Doctor of Department of Examination & Internal Medicine - Vinmec Phu Quoc International General Hospital.

In a healthy person with a healthy heart, sudden death from an arrhythmia is rare in the absence of an external trigger, such as an electric shock or drug use. However, if the heart is diseased or structurally altered, the heart's electrical signals may no longer be conduction through the heart, leading to arrhythmias.

The accumulation of fatty plaques in the arteries (atherosclerosis) is the most common cause of coronary heart disease. Unhealthy lifestyle habits, such as a diet high in fat, low in fruits and vegetables, inactivity, being overweight, and smoking can lead to atherosclerosis.

Common causes of arrhythmias include:
Coronary artery disease Diabetes Drug abuse Excessive use of alcohol or caffeine Congenital heart defects High blood pressure Smoking Certain medications, dietary supplements Functions and Herbal Medicine Stress Valve Disease

Congenital heart defects usually occur while the baby is in the womb. Heart defects can develop with the growth of the heart, about a month after conception, altering blood flow in the heart. Certain medical conditions, medications, and genes can play a role in causing heart defects.
Heart defects can also occur in adults. As you age, the structure of your heart can change, causing heart defects.

The cause of cardiomyopathy, thickening or dilated cardiomyopathy, may depend on the type:
Dilated cardiomyopathy: The cause of this most common type of cardiomyopathy is often unknown. This condition often causes the left ventricle to dilate. Dilated cardiomyopathy can be caused by reduced blood flow to the heart (ischemic heart disease) from damage after a heart attack, infections, toxins, and certain medications, including those used to treat cancer. The disease can also be inherited from parents. Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy: This type is often inherited. The disease can also develop over time due to high blood pressure or aging. Restrictive cardiomyopathy: This is the least common type of cardiomyopathy, which causes the heart muscle to become stiff and less elastic, which can occur with no known cause. Or it can be caused by diseases, such as a connective tissue disorder or a buildup of abnormal proteins (amyloidosis).

Heart infections, such as endocarditis, are caused when bacteria reach the heart muscle. The most common causes of heart infections include:
Bacteria Virus Parasites

Many causes can cause heart valve disease. Heart valve disease can be congenital, or the valve can be damaged due to conditions such as:
Rheumatic heart disease Infection (infective endocarditis) Connective tissue disorders

Risk factors for cardiovascular disease include:
Age: Older age increases the risk of damage and narrowing of the arteries as well as weakened or thickened heart muscle. Gender: Men in general have a higher risk of heart disease. The risk for women increases after menopause. Family history: A family history of heart disease increases your risk of coronary heart disease, especially if your parents had it at a young age (before age 55 for a male relative like a brother or father, and 65 years for female relatives such as mother or sister). Smoking: Nicotine causes your blood vessels to constrict, and carbon monoxide (CO) can damage the lining of your heart, making them more susceptible to atherosclerosis. Heart attacks are more common in smokers than in non-smokers. Diet: A diet high in fat, salt, sugar, and cholesterol can contribute to heart disease risk. High blood pressure: Uncontrolled high blood pressure can lead to hardening and thickening of the arteries, causing narrowing of the arteries. High blood cholesterol levels: High blood cholesterol levels increase the risk of atherosclerotic plaque formation. Diabetes: Diabetes increases the risk of heart disease. Both diseases share common risk factors, such as obesity and high blood pressure. Obesity: Excess weight often worsens other heart disease risk factors. Physical inactivity: Lack of exercise is also linked to many forms of heart disease and several other risk factors. Stress: Unrelieved stress can damage your arteries and worsen other risk factors for heart disease. Poor oral health: It's important to brush and floss regularly, and have regular dental checkups. If your teeth and gums are not healthy, germs can enter your bloodstream and travel to your heart, causing endocarditis.

Complications of heart disease include:
Heart failure: One of the most common complications of heart disease, heart failure occurs when your heart cannot pump enough blood to meet your body's needs. Heart failure can be the result of many forms of heart disease, including heart defects, coronary artery disease, heart valve disease, heart infection, or cardiomyopathy. Angina: A blood clot that blocks blood flow to the heart causes a heart attack, part of the heart muscle dies. Blood clots often form from atherosclerotic plaques in the coronary arteries. Stroke: Risk factors for cardiovascular disease can also lead to ischemic stroke, which occurs when arteries to the brain are narrowed or blocked, resulting in too little blood reaching the brain. A stroke is an emergency because brain tissue begins to die within minutes of a stroke. Aneurysm: A serious complication that can occur anywhere on your body. If the aneurysm ruptures, you could face life-threatening internal bleeding. Peripheral artery disease: Usually the arteries in the legs due to atherosclerosis, do not receive enough blood. This causes symptoms, most notably leg pain when walking (claudication). Sudden cardiac arrest: Sudden cardiac arrest is a sudden loss of heart function, breathing, and consciousness, usually due to an arrhythmia. Sudden cardiac arrest is a medical emergency. If not treated immediately, it can lead to sudden cardiac death.

Some types of heart disease, such as heart defects, cannot be prevented. However, healthy lifestyle changes can improve your heart disease, including:
Don't smoke Control medical conditions, such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes Exercise at least 30 minutes a day most days of the week Eat a diet low in salt and saturated fat Maintain a healthy weight to achieve BMI = 18.5-22.9 kg/m2. (Asian) Reduce stress Good oral hygiene Regular health check is also one of the ways to prevent cardiovascular disease from which the patient has a treatment plan to achieve optimal results. Currently, Vinmec International General Hospital has general health checkup packages suitable for each age, gender and individual needs of customers with a reasonable price policy, including:
Health checkup package diamond general health checkup package Vip general health checkup special health checkup package Comprehensive general health checkup package standard general health checkup The patient's examination results will be returned to your home. After receiving the results of the general health examination, if you detect diseases that require intensive examination and treatment, you can use services from other specialties right at the Hospital with quality treatment and services. outstanding customer service.