More than 81 million Americans had one or more types of cardiovascular disease in 2006, according to the American Heart Association. Although death rates from cardiovascular diseases have declined, with a reduction of 29 percent between 1996 and 2006, they still claimed the lives of more than 330,000 Americans in 2006. This compares with nearly 560,000 deaths from cancer and 121,000 from accidents during the same year.
High Blood Pressure
As the heart pumps blood through the arteries, the blood exerts a force against the walls of the arteries. When this pressure exceeds normal ranges the resulting hypertension or high blood pressure can lead to heart attack, heart failure or stroke. In most cases, people with high blood pressure have no symptoms, although a few may experience dizziness or headaches, according to MayoClinic.com. The National Heart Lung and Blood Institute notes that blood pressure usually rises as people grow older. Many factors beyond age can contribute to high blood pressure, however; these include unhealthy diet, lack of exercise and smoking.
Coronary Heart Disease
More than 17 million Americans suffered from coronary heart disease in 2006, according to the American Heart Association. Caused by the build up of plaque inside the coronary arteries, this disease can result in decreased blood flow to the heart muscle, notes MedlinePlus, a website of the National Institutes of Health. Symptoms may include chest pain or angina and a feeling of heaviness or pressure in the heart. Coronary heart disease may ultimately cause heart attack.
Stroke
Stroke involves the death of brain cells due to a lack of oxygen and this constitutes a medical emergency, notes MedlinePlus. The American Heart Association reports that more than 6 million Americans suffered from stroke in 2006. A stroke may occur when a blood vessel in the brain becomes blocked or bursts. The symptoms of a stroke can appear abruptly and may include numbness or weakness in an arm or leg or the face, headache, dizziness, confusion and difficulty walking.
Heart Failure
The Merck Manual explains that heart failure occurs when that organ does not pump blood properly and blood backs up in the lungs and veins. Nearly 6 million people suffered from heart failure in 2006, according to the American Heart Association. Heart failure is often asymptomatic, although some people with the disorder may feel fatigue and shortness of breath over time. A variety of conditions may cause heart failure. These include anemia, hyperthyroidism, coronary artery disease and myocarditis or inflammation of the heart muscle.
