Diseases that affect the cardiovascular system triggered one in three deaths in 2006 in the United States. Combined, the more than 831,000 deaths attributed to cardiovascular disease made it the leading cause of death, ahead of 560,000 deaths due to cancer, according to the American Heart Association (AHA). Mayo Clinic staff state that heart disease causes as much as 40 percent of all deaths in the U.S. Cardiovascular disease is often used interchangeably with heart disease, but it refers more to the narrowing and blocking of blood vessels that results in diseases like angina, high blood pressure, heart failure and stroke.
Heart Attack
Heart attack and angina (chest pain) often result from narrowing blood vessels and blockages from plaque buildup in blood vessels. This condition is related to cholesterol buildup. Medication and lifestyle treatments can reduce cholesterol. The AHA states that a blood clot from ruptured plaque can block a blood vessel that feeds the heart. The blockage causes chest pain. According to Mid-Atlantic Surgical Associates, angina may be a temporary condition or an ancillary symptom of a heart attack leaving permanent damage to the heart.
Stroke
Stroke is diagnosed as damage to the brain rather than the heart. A blood clot may cut off blood to the brain causing brain damage. A clot that blocks blood flow to the heart, causes heart muscle damage in a heart attack. The AHA states that the damage to the brain from a stroke transmits lack of function to the body areas controlled by the affected brain.
High Blood Pressure
Narrowed blood vessels trigger high blood pressure, or hypertension, when blood pressure registers significantly higher than the normal range of about 120/80 Hg. The two numbers correlate with the pressure from the heart pumping (systolic) and the pressure of the heart at rest (diastolic). According to the AHA, when these numbers go above 140/90 Hg, hypertension is present, which can in turn lead to heart failure, stroke or a heart attack. High blood pressure may be present without any other warning symptoms.
Heart Failure
Heart failure results when your heart doesn't pump enough blood to meet your body's needs. Both congestive heart failure and chronic heart failure are serious conditions. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention warns that immediate medical attention should be sought for either condition. Medication may help, but the only cure for heart failure is a heart transplant.
Hardening of the Arteries
Plaque buildup in the arteries results in peripheral arterial disease, commonly called hardening of the arteries. Your arms and legs may swell because of lowered blood flow blockage to your appendages. The CDC states that the disease is brought on by atherosclerosis. Other symptoms present may include numbness and tingling as well as pain in your legs and swelling in your ankles and feet.
Other Cardiovascular Diseases
Less common diseases that affect the cardiovascular system include arrhythmias (irregular, slow or fast heartbeats), congenital heart defects, and rheumatic heart disease. Rheumatic heart disease damages the heart valves through bacterial infection according to the CDC. You may also suffer an aortic aneurysm and dissection when the aorta stretches and ruptures.
