About Blood

Circulatory Systems Diseases & Disorders

The circulatory system is, no doubt, one of the most crucial organ systems, which is responsible for carrying out certain vital activities. It comprises the blood, blood vessels, and heart. All these components play a major role in the normal functioning of the human heart and the circulatory system as a whole. The heart pumps blood to various organs via the blood vessels, during which oxygen and nutrients are distributed to the body parts.

As per medical researchers, diseases and disorders of the circulatory system account to the highest mortality rate as compared to other ailments. Both hereditary and genetic factors are responsible for causing human circulatory system diseases. Nevertheless, with the current statistics claiming increased figures of heart and circulation problems, it is very important for us to learn about the related problems.

The primary function of the circulatory system is to supply oxygen, hormones and other essential nutrients to the body cells and tissues. In this cycle, it also does the work of replacing carbon dioxide with oxygen. Any disturbance or irregularity in this circulatory cycle leads to medical conditions, which may be mild to severe. For your reference, the following is a list of circulatory system disorders.

Angina

Angina, characterized by severe and recurrent chest discomfort and pain, is caused due to lack of blood supply and/or oxygen supply in the muscles of the heart. Basically, it is manifested as a complication caused by constriction of the blood vessels. Angina is often considered as a warning sign of an impending heart attack. So, it should be brought to the doctor's attention as soon as possible.

Arrhythmia

The major symptom of cardiac arrhythmia is irregular heart rhythm, in which the heart beats abnormally, either at a slower rate or faster rate. In most cases, it is found to be a congenital problem and results from a heart defect. Based on the severity of arrhythmia, medication, surgical procedure, and implanting pacemakers are adopted in order to regulate heart rhythm.

Atherosclerosis

Atherosclerosis is a blood circulation problem, resulting from accumulation of fatty deposits in the walls of the blood vessels, especially arteries. In other words, arteries are primarily affected by atherosclerosis. Over a period of time, the arterial walls harden and lose their elasticity. Complication of atherosclerosis includes cardiovascular disease and heart attack.

Cardiomyopathy

Another in the list of diseases and disorders of the circulatory system include cardiomyopathy, which is caused due to weakening of the heart muscles or myocardium. In the early stages, the ventricular muscles or muscles of the lower heart chamber are affected. If left untreated, it spreads to the upper heart muscles. In severe cases, cardiomyopathy can result in congestive heart failure and at times, death.

Congenital Heart Defect

As the term goes; congenital heart defect is present at birth and may be mild or severe. The fetus may show incomplete and/or abnormal development of the heart organ, causing symptoms like heart murmur in infants. The exact cause of congenital heart disease is not known. In some cases, genetic problems cause this defect, while others develop without any reason.

Coronary Artery Disease

Coronary artery disease, also known as coronary heart disease, is by far the most common disease of the circulatory system diagnosed in adults. It is caused due to atherosclerosis, i.e., accumulation of plaque in the coronary arterial walls, which indirectly impairs the blood supply to the heart. Coronary artery disease is the leading cause of death all over the world.

Hypertension

Hypertension or high blood pressure another frequently diagnosed disorder of the circulatory system. Over here, the blood pressure (systolic and diastolic) reading remains consistently higher than the normal recommended level. If not addressed timely, hypertension causes damage to the heart and blood vessels, thereby increasing the risk of heart attack and other heart diseases.

Hypercholesterolemia

As the name signifies, hypercholesterolemia or high cholesterol is characterized by an elevated cholesterol level. There are two primary types of cholesterol, namely, low-density lipoproteins (LDL) or bad cholesterol and high-density lipoproteins (HDL) or good cholesterol. Presence of high amounts of bad cholesterol (LDL) increases the risk for heart diseases and stroke.

Peripheral Vascular Disease

Peripheral vascular disease affects the blood circulation to the extreme portions of the body, including the arms and legs. Peripheral artery disease is the most common type of peripheral vascular disease, which is the deposition of fatty acids in the arterial walls. Symptoms of peripheral vascular disease are tingling, numbness, and other complications.

Rheumatic Heart Disease

This is a complication rarely observed in children who have untreated rheumatic fever. What happens is, the antibodies produced by the body in response to bacterial infection (Streptococcus) falsely attack the body parts, including the cardiac valves and muscles. The symptoms of this ailment are no different from that of congestive heart failure, thus treatment for both is preceded in the similar way.

The increased statistics of circulatory system diseases is mainly contributed by today's hectic lifestyle, less physical activity, and unhealthy eating habits. Consequently, obesity, stress, smoking, and other unhealthy habits are major risk factors of circulatory system diseases. Early diagnosis, correct therapeutic intervention, and following a healthy lifestyle are crucial for combating the diseases and disorders related to malfunctioning of the circulatory system.