Cardiovascular and pulmonary diseases are defined as any disorder that affects the heart or lungs' ability to function normally. There are a variety of different diseases and conditions which fit this description including endocarditis, heart attack, heart failure, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and pulmonary stenosis. With increasing research and technology, physicians are finding greater effects outside of the heart and lungs from cardiovascular and pulmonary disease.
Reduced Exercise Tolerance
The presence of heart disease or pulmonary disease will affect the oxygen exchange within the body. The heart muscle's primary responsibility is to pump blood to the lungs where the blood picks up oxygen. The heart then pumps blood around to the rest of the body where oxygen and nutrients can be deposited at the cellular level. According to Mayo Clinic physicians, cardiovascular disease will significantly impede the ability of the heart and lungs to work efficiently and will result in reduced exercise tolerance. In advanced stages, patients will be unable to climb stairs, do chores and even do simple daily activities.
Heart Attack
Mayo Clinic physicians warn their patients that coronary artery disease and cardiovascular disease can result in a heart attack. When blood clots block the flow of blood through the arterial supply that feeds the heart muscle, part of that heart muscle will die. This interruption can damage or destroy a part of the muscle or interfere with electrical stimulation of the heart. In these cases an individual may suffer from a heart attack or from complete cessation of cardiac pumping and death.
Stroke
Stroke is the third leading cause of death in the United States each year. It occurs when a clot blocks the supply of blood to the brain and can result in death or significant disability. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, cardiovascular disease can lead to stroke. When clots that informed in the heart or surrounding vasculature make their way to the brain a stroke is the result.
Depression
In 2008 the American Heart Association released a statement that recommended all patients who had cardiovascular disease should be screened and treated for depression. Their studies showed that depression was three times more common in patients following a heart attack than in the general community. Their recommendations, also endorsed by the American Psychiatric Association, recommended early and repeated screening as well as a coordinated follow-up for individuals who suffered from cardiovascular disease and symptoms of depression.
Underlying Medical Condition
In an article published in the Public Library of Science peer reviewed journal, author Peter Barnes drew the conclusion that chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is associated with other diseases at a rate that is not expected by chance. The associations are even greater than expected from other etiological factors such as smoking. One potential mechanism that links chronic obstructive pulmonary disease to other diseases, such as cardiovascular disease, is a systemic inflammation. Research found an increased health risk of developing metabolic diseases, such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, bone disease, lung cancer and depression when individuals suffered from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
Death
A significant health risk from both chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and cardiovascular disease is death. The American Heart Association estimated that in 2006, 81 million people had one or more forms of cardiovascular disease and the final mortality rates in 2006 confirmed 34.3 percent of all deaths could be attributed to some form of cardiovascular disease. As early recognition and treatment have continued to progress the American Heart Association has found the number of deaths from cardiovascular disease declines. In the 10 year period between 1996 and 2006, the death rate declined 29.2 percent while the actual number of deaths in the same time period declined 12.9 percent.
