Symptoms of cardiovascular diseases. The main symptoms of diseases of the cardiovascular system

The human cardiovascular system has a rather complex structure, which includes many arteries, veins and other organs. Its central link is the heart, which provides continuous transportation of blood to all human organs and systems. Such a structure ensures the normal functioning of the body and is laid down by nature itself. However, various cardiovascular diseases can disrupt the natural order of things, which will inevitably affect health.

The main causes of the development of cardiovascular diseases

For normal functioning the human circulatory system must be constantly under load, stimulating its work. Otherwise, it gradually declines, which is fraught with the development of various pathological conditions. Cardiovascular diseases are one of them, and their formation can cause serious harm human health.

Today there are enough big list diseases belonging to the category of cardiovascular diseases. All of them have their own characteristics and nature of the flow, disrupting the work of certain organs. Myocarditis or rheumatism affects the heart. Phlebitis or atherosclerosis are diseases of the veins and arteries.
There are also varieties that affect the entire system as a whole. A prime example such a state is arterial hypertension, leading to a violation of vascular tone and increasing their fragility. However, sometimes it is quite difficult to draw a clear line between similar conditions, since one disease per various stages may have an effect first on the arteries, and then on the work of the heart.

Causes of the appearance and development of diseases of cardio-vascular system are varied, but most often the formation of such problems contribute to the following factors:

increased content triglycerides and cholesterol in the blood;
high blood pressure;
the presence of bad habits;
lack of physical activity;
sedentary work;
increased body weight;
diabetes;
systematic stress;
depression;
age;
hereditary predisposition.

The above criteria will not necessarily lead to the development of pathologies of the cardiovascular system. However, their presence significantly increases the risk of their formation and significantly affects the well-being of a person.

Main clinical symptoms in diseases of the cardiovascular system

Symptoms of cardiovascular disease

Diseases circulatory system people are quite varied. Each of them has its own characteristics and renders different influence on the body. However, there are some signs that are similar for all similar diseases, and their presence makes it possible to diagnose the problem in a timely manner and influence its course. They look like this:

pain in the area chest;
cardiopalmus;
violation heart rate;
dyspnea;
high swelling;
pigmentation disorder skin;
headache;
dizziness.

Identification of such symptoms indicates the development pathological process affecting the work of the heart or blood vessels. Moreover, if the periodic occurrence of any one symptom does not necessarily indicate the presence of a problem of a similar nature, then the simultaneous manifestation of several of them requires immediate medical attention.

Ignoring such symptoms will not help solve the problem, but, on the contrary, will aggravate the situation. So, a slight dysfunction in the work of the vessels, if the manifestation of the problem is ignored, can develop into atherosclerosis, which is a much more serious disease.

Treatment of diseases of the heart and blood vessels: surgery

The treatment of cardiovascular diseases is multicomponent and is based on the use of various techniques. The composition and main directions of the complex effect should be determined only by a doctor. It is he, on the basis of symptoms, external examination, talking with the patient and the test results selects optimal plan treatment, and also determines its components.

However, sometimes a person enters the hospital in a state where the slightest delay can cost him his life. In such cases, doctors resort to the most complicated ways treatment that involves surgery. Today, most often cardiac surgeons are forced to perform following operations:

coronary bypass;
heart transplant;
removal of the aneurysm;
valve operations;
operation Bentall;
operation labyrinth.

Surgical intervention is a last resort and is carried out when it is not possible to treat the patient in another way. At the same time, such manipulations have to be resorted to in the most advanced cases, when the symptoms of the problem were ignored for a long time and the disease led to the development of complications.

The use of medicines and their classification

Medical treatment is the most justified and makes it possible to avoid aggravating the problem. There are a huge number of drugs, the purpose of which is to restore the work of the cardiovascular system. At the same time, each of them is narrowly focused and is responsible for restoring the functioning of a particular sector.

Based on this, when eliminating heart rhythm failures, the doctor prescribes several medicines, designed to normalize the speed and pace of contractions, and to overcome the consequences of a stroke, a completely different list of drugs. In general, the following medicines are used to overcome the symptoms of diseases of the cardiovascular system:

antiarrhythmic drugs;
cardiotonic;
vasodilators;
beta-blockers;
angiotensin type 2 receptor antagonists;
antihypertensive agents;
diuretics;
peripheral vasodilators;
angioprotectors;
cardiac glycosides;
calcium channel blockers;
drugs that affect the renin-angiotensin system;
lipid-lowering agents.

Similar categories of drugs include 10-15 different components, which are quite specific. Their appointment is based on the diagnosed disease and the severity of its symptoms.

Physiotherapy procedures

The role of physiotherapy in the treatment of cardiovascular diseases is difficult to overestimate. Them positive influence on the course of the rehabilitation process is clinically proven. With this purpose, physiotherapy is to relieve tension in the vessels and improve blood circulation, which is achieved as a result of relaxation of muscle fibers. Such methods include:

massotherapy;
relaxing baths;
infrared radiation;
ultratonotherapy;
local barotherapy;
acupuncture.

The effectiveness of these techniques for each specific case may be different. However, most often, if there are problems in the work of the circulatory system, massage is prescribed. Its use has a beneficial effect on muscle fibers, contributing to the development of reactive and working hyperemia, which has a stimulating effect on the peripheral and coronary circulation.

ethnoscience

Alternative medicine in diseases of the cardiovascular system is more likely auxiliary means and is aimed at consolidating the result of the main treatment. Folk remedies make it possible to improve the condition of the whole organism and consist in the use of various medicinal herbs and fees. First of all, their action is aimed at relaxing muscle structures, stabilizing blood pressure and dilating blood vessels. To achieve these qualities, apply:

yarrow;
valerian;
heather;
ginseng;
licorice trifoliate;
peppermint;
chamomile motherwort;

The above means have a mass positive qualities, and their use for the treatment of diseases of the circulatory system accelerates the recovery of the body and increases the effectiveness of the main therapy. However, before using such tools, you should consult with a specialist, since they all have their own characteristics and, if used ineptly, can harm the body.

The role of physiotherapy exercises

Physiotherapy plays an important role in cardiovascular disease. Thanks to systematic sports and therapeutic exercises, there is a significant strengthening of the myocardium, an increase in its functionality and an improvement in blood circulation.

Constant physical activity improves blood flow, providing organs with oxygen and increasing the elasticity of blood vessels, the walls of which are cleared of cholesterol and acquire pristine purity. As a result, the likelihood of blood clots and the development of atherosclerotic plaques, which are one of the main causes of the development of cardiovascular diseases.

However, physical activity in this kind of ailments should be used with caution so as not to harm the patient. Based on this, the intensity and duration of training is selected individually based on the patient's condition, as well as his well-being.

Preventive actions

Prevention of vascular and heart diseases is aimed at consolidating the achieved result and preventing the re-development of the pathological process. Used to strengthen the circulatory system whole complex activities, the implementation of which is guaranteed, will bring positive result and prevent similar problems in the future. These reinforcing factors look like this:

proper nutrition;
giving up bad habits (alcohol, smoking);
body weight control;
avoidance of stress;
active image life
good .

All these simple measures and their observance make it possible not only to restore the functioning of the cardiovascular system, but also to make the whole body stronger and more resilient. That will favorably affect the well-being of a person and his attitude to life.

Conclusion

Cardiovascular disease is a serious problem affecting all large quantity people around the world. The reasons for their development are banal and grow from modern style life, in which there is practically no room for physical activity. At the same time, the presence of such diseases can significantly complicate a person’s life, and their treatment requires the implementation of a whole range of measures. However, timely seeking medical help makes it possible to avoid the progression of diseases, and preventive measures will prevent their occurrence in the future.

All pathologies of the cardiovascular system should be treated after a thorough diagnosis under the guidance of a physician, using both therapeutic and surgical methods. To navigate the variety of diseases of the heart and blood vessels, as well as to understand when it is required immediate call ambulance teams, and when you can get by with a visit to the local doctor, you should know the main symptoms of these pathologies.

List of heart diseases and their symptoms

Cardiovascular diseases are classified into the following categories:

Arrhythmia - changes in the rhythmic and sequential contraction of the atria and ventricles;

Ischemic heart disease - circulatory disorders and the formation of scar tissue;

Myocarditis, pericarditis, endocarditis - inflammatory diseases of the heart muscle;

Heart disease - congenital and acquired lesions of the valve apparatus of the ventricles;

Cardiovascular insufficiency is a group of diseases, which are based on the failure of cardiac activity in terms of ensuring normal blood circulation.

Vegetative-vascular dystonia is a violation of vascular tone.

Hypertension - a systematic increase blood pressure.

All these diseases of the heart and blood vessels have various reasons their development, symptoms, methods of treatment and prognosis of recovery.

Arrhythmia

Normally, the heart rhythmically and consistently contracts its atria and ventricles. This activity is closely related to the functioning of the conduction system, which directs impulses to the heart muscle.

Causes of arrhythmia:

Structural changes in the conducting system;

Electrolyte metabolism disorders;

Vegetative changes in the central nervous system;

endocrine diseases;

Side effects of drugs;

Complications caused by ischemic disease.

Diagnosis of arrhythmia is carried out using a cardiogram, the treatment of this pathology is quite complicated, it is carried out taking into account the individual characteristics of the organism.

Types of arrhythmias:

Ventricular asystole - manifested by flickering and fluttering of the ventricles, occurs as a complication of heart disease, due to electric shock, an overdose of glycosides, adrenaline, quindine (in the treatment of malaria).

Prognosis - sudden clinical death is possible due to discontinuation or sharp drop cardiac output. To stop the cessation of blood circulation, it is necessary to immediately begin resuscitation with the help of an external heart massage and artificial respiration. You need to call the cardiological ambulance team.

Atrial fibrillation - manifested by atrial fibrillation and flutter (250-300 cancer per minute), chaotic and non-rhythmic contraction of the ventricles. Occurs as a symptom of mitral heart disease, thyrotoxicosis, atherosclerosis, myocardial infarction, due to an overdose of glycosides, alcohol poisoning.

The patient may not feel arrhythmia, mistaking it for a rapid heartbeat. The prognosis is the occurrence of thromboembolism.

Paroxysmal tachycardia - manifests itself as a sudden onset and sudden ending of an attack of palpitations, heart contractions - 160-220 beats per minute. Additionally, there is profuse sweating, increased intestinal motility, slight hyperthermia, accelerated intestinal motility.

If the attack lasts for several days, these symptoms are joined by angina pectoris, weakness, fainting, and an increase in heart failure. Help with paroxysmal tachycardia - area massage carotid artery, activation vagus nerve by pressing on the eyes and the solar plexus area, as well as holding the breath, a strong turn of the head. If these methods are ineffective, then there is ventricular tachycardia or myocardial infarction - immediate medical attention is required.

Sinus tachycardia - manifested by the frequency sinus rhythm more than 90 beats per minute, occurs with a sharp decrease in blood pressure, a significant increase in temperature, myocarditis, anemia, myocarditis. The patient experiences a sensation of palpitations.

Help - holding the breath, massage the solar plexus, carotid arteries, pressure on the eyeballs.

Sinus bradycardia - manifested by a decrease in heart rate with a rhythmic sinus rhythm of less than 60 beats per minute. Occurs with myocardial infarction, as a consequence of some infectious diseases, side effects medicines.

The patient feels a heartbeat, his limbs become cold, fainting may occur, an attack of angina pectoris may occur.

Extrasystole - manifested premature contractions hearts that the patient feels like a sinking heart or its increased beat. After that, reflexively there is a desire to take a deep breath.

Frequent systoles require treatment, as they lead to atrial and ventricular fibrillation.

Heart blocks - are manifested by a slowdown or complete cessation of the conduction of an electrical impulse through the conduction system of the heart. The patient's heart rate slows down, he faints, due to the fact that the brain is not sufficiently supplied with blood, convulsions occur, heart failure is diagnosed. Prognosis - with intraventricular (complete transverse) blockade, sudden death is possible.

With this severe heart disease, which is based on a violation of the blood supply to the heart muscle, myocardial infarction, angina pectoris, cardiosclerosis occurs.

Myocardial infarction - acute disorder blood supply to the heart muscle, resulting in focal necrosis of the myocardium. Due to the necrosis of part of the heart muscle, the contractility of the heart is impaired. A heart attack occurs due to thrombosis of the arteries that supply the heart with blood, blockage of blood vessels by atherosclerotic plaques.

The acute period of a heart attack is characterized by very severe retrosternal pain, the intensity of which is not stopped by nitroglycerin. Additionally, there is pain in the pit of the stomach, an asthma attack, hyperthermia, increased blood pressure, frequent pulse. Prognosis - the patient may die from cardiogenic shock or heart failure. Emergency care before the arrival of the ambulance - taking painkillers and large doses nitroglycerin.

Angina ("angina pectoris") - manifests itself as a sudden pain behind the sternum due to insufficient blood supply to the myocardium. The main cause of angina is atherosclerosis of the coronary arteries. Pain in angina pectoris is paroxysmal, has clear boundaries of appearance and remission, is almost immediately stopped by Nitroglycerin. The factor provoking an attack is stress or physical overstrain. Compressive and pressing pain occurs behind the sternum, radiates to the neck, in lower jaw, in left hand and shoulder blade, may be similar to heartburn.

Additionally, there is an increase in blood pressure, perspiration appears, the skin becomes pale. If rest angina pectoris is diagnosed, these symptoms are accompanied by suffocation, a feeling of acute lack of air. An attack of angina pectoris lasting longer than 30 minutes is a suspicion of myocardial infarction. First aid - Nitroglycerin under the tongue twice with a difference of 2-3 minutes, accompanied by taking Corvalol or Validol to suppress headaches, then you should call a cardiological ambulance.

Cardiosclerosis - damage to the myocardium and heart valves by scar tissue resulting from atherosclerosis, rheumatism, myocarditis. Symptoms are arrhythmias and conduction disturbances. The prognosis is the formation of an aneurysm, the formation of chronic heart failure, heart defects.

Myocarditis, pericarditis, endocarditis

This group of diseases is characterized inflammatory processes in myocardial tissues caused by pathogenic microorganisms. Complement their negative impact allergic reactions and autoimmune processes of formation of antibodies to the tissues of one's own body.

Kinds inflammatory diseases hearts:

Infectious-allergic form of myocarditis - occurs after infectious disease or during it. Symptoms: general malaise, heart rhythm disturbances, pain in the heart area, shortness of breath, joint pain, slight fever. After a few days, the phenomena of myocarditis increase and increase. Heart failure is formed: cyanosis of the skin, swelling of the legs and abdomen, severe shortness of breath, liver enlargement.

Rheumatic, autoimmune, radiation myocarditis - distinguish between acute and chronic forms, manifested the following symptoms intoxication: fatigue, hyperthermia, skin rash, nausea and vomiting. If you do not see a doctor in time, there is a deformity of the fingers in the form of drumsticks, as well as deformation of the nails in the form of convex watch glasses.

Endocarditis - inflammation of the endocardium (the inner lining of the heart), covering the valvular apparatus.

Pericarditis - inflammation of the membrane that covers the heart (pericardial sac).

Such manifestations require immediate medical attention, bed rest. The cardiologist will prescribe anti-inflammatory drugs (Ibuprofen, Diclofenac, Indomethacin), glucocorticosteroids (Prednisolone), diuretics and antiarrhythmic drugs. Prognosis for the development of carditis - complete cure with timely treatment.

These diseases include lesions of the valvular apparatus: stenosis (inability to fully open the valves), insufficiency (inability to fully close the valves), a combination of stenosis and insufficiency (combined heart disease). If the heart defect is not congenital, it occurs due to rheumatism, atherosclerosis, syphilis, septic endocarditis, and heart injury.

Types of heart defects:

Defeat mitral valve(stenosis and insufficiency) - determined by listening to the heart by a cardiologist, characterized by the appearance in patients bright blush and bright lips. Additionally, shortness of breath, palpitations, swelling of the extremities, enlarged liver are diagnosed.

Defeat aortic valve(stenosis and insufficiency) - there are no complaints at the 1st and 2nd stages of the defect, at the 3rd stage angina pectoris, dizziness and impaired visual clarity are diagnosed. At the 4th stage, even the most insignificant load leads to disorders of cerebral and cardiac circulation: arrhythmia, shortness of breath, cardiac asthma.

Aortic valve insufficiency - at the 1st and 2nd stages there are no complaints, at the 3rd stage of the defect, angina pectoris, pulsation of the arteries of the head, carotid artery, abdominal aorta, which is visible to the naked eye, are diagnosed. At the 4th stage, pronounced heart failure and arrhythmia appear. At the 5th stage, the symptoms of the disease are even more intensified.

Tricuspid valve defect - can be diagnosed by the pulsation of the cervical veins and liver, its increase, swelling of the arms and legs. There is a direct relationship - the stronger the pulsation of the veins, the more pronounced valvular insufficiency. Valve stenosis does not give a pronounced pulsation.

Cardiovascular insufficiency

This general name refers to diseases that have led to the fact that the heart is not able to respond to the normal pumping of blood. Cardiovascular insufficiency is acute and chronic.

Types of acute heart failure:

Cardiac asthma is a consequence of cardiosclerosis, hypertension, myocardial infarction, aortic heart disease. The basis of the pathology is stagnation of blood in the lungs, since the left ventricle cannot provide normal blood flow in the pulmonary circulation.

In the vessels of the lungs, blood accumulates, stagnates, its liquid fraction sweats into the lung tissue. As a result, the walls of the bronchioles thicken, their vessels narrow, and air penetrates into the lungs worse. Vivid symptoms cardiac asthma: a cough called "cardiac" wheezing, shortness of breath, fear of death, blue lips and skin. Heart palpitations and high blood pressure complete the overall picture.

First aid - give the patient a semi-sitting position, put Nitroglycerin with Corvalol under the tongue, provide hot foot baths. Before the ambulance arrives, to facilitate the work of the heart, you can put rubber bands on the thighs for 15-20 minutes, trying to press them not on the arteries, but on the veins. Prognosis - in the absence of the effect of resuscitation procedures, pulmonary edema occurs.

Pulmonary edema - failure to deliver on time necessary assistance with cardiac asthma, it leads to the fact that the liquid fraction of blood sweats not only into the bronchi, but also into the alveoli and accumulates in them. The air, which nevertheless penetrates in a small amount into the lungs overflowing with liquid, beats this liquid in the pulmonary vesicles into foam. Symptoms of pulmonary edema: painful suffocation, pink foam protruding from the mouth and nose, gurgling breathing, rapid heartbeat. An excited patient has a fear of death, he is covered with a cold, sticky sweat. Elevated blood pressure drops sharply as the situation progresses.

First aid should be provided quickly - the patient is placed reclining, a hot foot bath is made for him, tourniquets are applied to his legs, 1-2 tablets of Nitroglycerin are placed under the tongue. Intravenously or orally, 2-4 ml of Lasix or Furosemide are injected into the body. The patient needs Fresh air, he is relieved to the maximum tight clothes, open the windows. Before stopping the attack of pulmonary edema, transportation to the hospital of such a patient is impossible.

Right ventricular failure - occurs during incorrect transfusion of blood and its substitutes, lung diseases (asthma, pneumonia, pneumothorax), as well as due to pulmonary embolism. There is an overload of the right parts of the heart, there is a spasm of the pulmonary circulation. The resulting stagnation of blood weakens the functioning of the right ventricle. Symptoms: shortness of breath, drop in blood pressure, cyanosis of the lips and skin of the face, severe swelling of the veins in the neck.

Thromboembolism - to the above symptoms joins strong pain behind breastbone, expectoration of blood after coughing. It occurs due to the ingress of a blood clot into the vessels of the pulmonary artery. Forecast - a blood clot in large artery leads to death.

In this condition, urgent thrombolytic therapy is needed, the introduction of thrombolytics (Eufillin, Lasix, Strofantin) before the arrival of the ambulance. The patient at this time should be in a semi-sitting - semi-lying position.

Collapse - a condition occurs with a sharp expansion of blood vessels and a decrease in the volume of circulating blood. Causes of collapse: an overdose of nitroglycerin, drugs that lower blood pressure, poisoning, consequences individual infections, vegetative-vascular dystonia. Symptoms - sudden weakness and dizziness, shortness of breath, a sharp decline blood pressure, emptying of the veins, thirst and chills. The patient's skin becomes pale and cold to the touch, loss of consciousness may occur.

Help before the arrival of "emergency help" - raise the legs above the head to provide the brain with blood, cover the body, give hot strong coffee to drink for the speedy rise in blood pressure.

The true cause of hypertension is not fully understood. Its appearance is provoked by mental trauma, obesity, a tendency to salty foods, a hereditary predisposition.

Stages of hypertension:

At the first stage, the pressure rises to values of 160-180 mm Hg. Art. at 95-105 mm Hg. Art. An increase in pressure is characteristic of a change in climate, physical or emotional stress, a change in weather, the inclusion of spicy dishes in the diet. Additional symptoms: headaches, tinnitus, insomnia, dizziness. At this stage, there are no changes in the heart, impaired renal function.

In the second stage, the pressure indicators rise to 200 per 115 mm Hg. Art. During rest, it does not fall to the norm, remaining somewhat elevated. There are changes in the left ventricle (hypertrophy), a decrease in renal blood flow, changes in the vessels of the brain.

At the third stage, the pressure rises to values of 280-300 mm Hg. Art. at 120-130 mm Hg. Art. During this period, strokes, angina attacks, hypertensive crisis, myocardial infarction, pulmonary edema, and retinal lesions are not excluded.

If in the first stage hypertension it is enough to revise the lifestyle and diet so that the pressure indicators return to normal, then the second and third stages need to be treated pharmaceutical preparations by doctor's prescription.

Diagnosis of heart disease

According to medical statistics, about 60% of cases premature death accounted for by cardiovascular disease. Diagnostic study the state of the heart muscle and its functioning will help to put correct diagnosis and start treatment.

Common diagnostic methods:

Electrocardiogram (ECG) - fixation of electrical impulses emanating from the body of the subject. It is carried out using an electrocardiograph that records impulses. Only a specialist can evaluate the results of an ECG. He will be able to detect arrhythmia, absence or decrease in conduction, coronary disease, myocardial infarction.

Ultrasound of the heart is an informative study that allows you to evaluate the cardiovascular system in a complex, identify signs of atherosclerosis, see blood clots, and evaluate blood flow.

Echocardiogram - the study is indicated for patients who have had a heart attack. It will help to detect heart defects, aortic and ventricular aneurysms, blood clots, oncological processes, evaluate the features of blood flow, the thickness of the walls of the heart muscle and pericardium, evaluate the activity of the heart valves.

Magnetic resonance imaging - helps to determine the source of noise in the heart, the area of myocardial necrosis, vascular dysfunction.

Cardiac scintography is performed using contrast medium, which, after entering the bloodstream, helps to assess the features of blood flow.

Cardiomonitoring according to Holter - observation of daily changes in the work of the heart and blood vessels using a mobile device attached to the belt of the subject. It registers the cause of heart rhythm disturbances, chest pains.

You can go through such studies on your own initiative, but only a specialist cardiologist can interpret their results.

Prevention of heart disease

The main factors provoking the occurrence of cardiac pathologies:

High cholesterol;

Sedentary lifestyle;

Smoking and alcohol abuse;

Increased blood sugar;

Excess in the diet of refractory animal fats, salt;

Prolonged psycho-emotional overstrain;

High blood pressure;

Obesity.

To eliminate the risk of heart and vascular diseases, cardiologists suggest following simple rules in everyday life:

Follow the principles of a healthy diet, reduce the amount of fat in the diet and increase the amount of fiber;

Stop smoking, do not abuse alcohol;

Limit time spent without movement, more often engage in physical education in the fresh air;

Get enough sleep, avoid stress, treat difficult situations with humor;

Use a minimum of salt;

Replenish the reserves of potassium and magnesium in the body by taking a complex of trace elements;

Know the optimal figures for the norm of blood sugar, blood pressure, body mass index and strive for such indicators.

If there are prerequisites for the development of pathologies of the heart and blood vessels, they should be treated immediately, preventing the occurrence of complications.

Which doctor treats heart diseases?

With the appearance of shortness of breath, retrosternal pain, the appearance of swelling and frequent heartbeat, a significant and frequent increase in blood pressure should check the condition of the heart and blood vessels. For examination and possible treatment should contact a cardiologist. This doctor treats diseases of the cardiovascular system, and conducts subsequent rehabilitation.

If it is necessary to perform catheterization or angioplasty of the heart vessels, the help of a vascular surgeon may be required. Treatment of arrhythmias is carried out under the guidance of an electrophysiologist. He will be able to comprehensively investigate the causes of cardiac arrhythmias, introduce a defibrillator, and ablate the arrhythmia. Operation on open heart performed by a doctor narrow specialization- Cardiac surgeon.

What heart diseases give disability?

Approach to the appointment of disability in the presence of cardiopathology in recent times has changed.

Now it is given in the presence of a complex of symptoms:

A significant persistent violation of the functioning of organs and systems, occurring due to heart disease and its consequences.

Violation of the ability to work, carry out self-service and non-professional activities (the ability to communicate, learn, move, navigate in space);

The need for social protection measures.

For the appointment of disability requires a combination of these features, a significant disability. Once every 1-2 years, a re-examination is carried out, since the health status of heart patients may change for the better.

Basically, patients with the following diseases can apply for disability:

Condition after myocardial infarction;

3 degree arterial hypertension with organ damage;

Heart defects;

Severe heart failure.

Can an ECG not show heart disease?

Such a common method as an electrocardiogram is able to show the activity of heart tissues and conduct a study of its rhythm.

ECG cannot informatively determine

Heart defects

Assess the blood flow in his valves,

Determine excessive or insufficient activity of the heart muscle (a sign of myocardial infarction);

Determine if there is fluid accumulation in the pericardium (heart sac);

Look for signs of atherosclerosis in the aorta.

Can you drink alcohol if you have heart disease?

No, in case of cardiac pathologies, the use of even small doses of alcohol leads to the following consequences:

Increased blood pressure;

Decreased effect of drugs that relieve hypertension;

Increased risk of heart attack in patients with cardiac ischemia;

Increased likelihood of vascular collapse;

Accelerated development of atherosclerosis due to the ability of alcohol to resist the liver in the production of beneficial lipids and loss useful properties the inner surface of the vessels to resist the attachment of plaques;

The development of fatty ("alcoholic") cardiomyopathy, leading to myocardial dystrophy, thinning of the walls of the heart chambers and loss of elasticity.

Attentive attitude to one's health, timely examination, implementation of the doctor's recommendations will help to avoid serious pathologies of the cardiovascular system and their fatal complications. In order to avoid risk factors, you should adhere to the rules of a healthy lifestyle, be attentive to yourself and your loved ones.

Diseases of the cardiovascular system rank first in terms of incidence and number of deaths worldwide. There are many reasons for this, including correct image life, bad habits, poor nutrition, stress, heredity and much more. Every year, the age of cardiac pathologies is getting younger, the number of patients who have received disability after suffering heart attacks, strokes and other complications is growing. That is why doctors strongly recommend that you be attentive to your body, immediately go to the hospital when alarming symptoms appear.

What is cardiovascular disease

Diseases of the heart and blood vessels are a group of pathologies affecting the functioning of the heart muscle and blood vessels, including veins and arteries. The most common pathologies are coronary heart disease, cerebrovascular disease and peripheral arteries, rheumatic heart disease, arterial hypertension, strokes, heart attacks, heart defects and much more. Defects are divided into congenital and acquired. Congenital develop in the womb, acquired often become the result of emotional experiences, poor lifestyle, various infectious and toxic lesions.

Important! Each disease requires timely diagnosis and competent medical treatment, since with a negligent attitude there is a risk of developing serious complications and death of the patient.

The list of common diseases of the cardiovascular system includes coronary heart disease. This pathology is associated with a violation of blood circulation in the myocardium, which leads to its oxygen starvation. As a result, the activity of the heart muscle is disrupted, which is accompanied by characteristic symptoms.

Symptoms of coronary artery disease

When sick, patients experience the following symptoms:

pain syndrome. The pain can be stabbing, cutting, pressing in nature, intensify with emotional experiences and physical stress. IHD is characterized by the spread of pain not only to the sternum region, it can radiate to the neck, arm, shoulder blade;
dyspnea. Lack of air appears in patients first with intense physical exertion, during hard work. Later, dyspnoea occurs more frequently when walking, while climbing stairs, sometimes even at rest;
increased sweating;
dizziness, nausea;
a feeling of sinking heart, rhythm disturbance, less often fainting.

On the part of the psychological state, irritability, panic attacks or fear, frequent nervous breakdowns are noted.

Due to circulatory disorders, ischemia of certain parts of the heart occurs

The reasons

The factors that provoke IHD include anatomical aging of the body, gender characteristics (men get sick more often), race (Europeans are more likely to suffer from pathology than blacks). To the reasons coronary disease include overweight, bad habits, emotional overload, diabetes mellitus, increased blood clotting, hypertension, lack of physical activity, and so on.

Treatment

Treatment methods for IHD include the following areas:

drug therapy;
surgery;
elimination of the causes provoking pathology.

Among the medicines, antiplatelet agents are used - drugs that prevent the formation of blood clots, statins - drugs to lower blood pressure. bad cholesterol in blood. For symptomatic treatment prescribe potassium channel activators, beta-blockers, inhibitors sinus node and other drugs.

Hypertonic disease

Arterial hypertension is one of the most common diseases affecting the heart and blood vessels. The pathology consists in a persistent increase in blood pressure above acceptable standards.

Signs of hypertension

Signs of cardiovascular pathology are often hidden, so the patient may not be aware of his disease. A person leads a normal life, sometimes he is disturbed by dizziness, weakness, but most patients attribute this to ordinary overwork.

Obvious signs of hypertension develop with damage to target organs, may be of the following nature:

headaches, migraines;
noise in ears;
flickering midges in the eyes;
muscle weakness, numbness of the arms and legs;
speech difficulty.

The main danger of this disease is myocardial infarction. This serious condition, often ending in death, requires the immediate delivery of a person to a hospital, and the necessary medical measures.

The reasons

The reasons for the persistent increase in pressure include:

strong emotional overload;
excess body weight;
hereditary predisposition;
diseases of viral and bacterial origin;
bad habits;
excessive salt in the daily diet;
insufficient physical activity.

Often, hypertension occurs in people who spend long time at the computer monitor, as well as in patients whose blood often has bursts of adrenaline.

A common cause of hypertension is bad habits

Treatment

Cardio treatment vascular disease, accompanied by an increase in pressure, is to eliminate the causes of the pathological condition and maintain blood pressure within normal limits. For this, diuretics, inhibitors, beta-blockers, a calcium antagonist and other drugs are used.

Important! A sharp increase in pressure is called. it dangerous complication requires urgent medical care with the use of complex therapy.

rheumatic heart disease

The list of cardiovascular diseases includes a pathology accompanied by a malfunction of the heart muscle and valve system - rheumatic heart disease. The disease develops as a result of damage to the organ by group A streptococci.

Symptoms

Symptoms of cardiovascular disease develop in patients 2 to 3 weeks after suffering a streptococcal infection. The first signs are pain and swelling of the joints, fever, nausea, and vomiting. getting worse general well-being the patient, there is weakness, depression.

Pathology is classified into pericarditis and endocarditis. In the first case, the patient is tormented by pain behind the sternum, lack of air. When listening to the heart, muffled tones are heard. Endocarditis is accompanied by a rapid heartbeat, painful sensations that occur regardless of physical activity.

The reasons

As already mentioned, diseases provoke heart damage, the causative agents of which are group A streptococci. These include tonsillitis, scarlet fever, pneumonia, erysipelas dermis and more.

Treatment

Patients with severe rheumatic heart disease are treated in a hospital setting. For them, a special diet is selected, which consists in limiting salt, saturating the body with potassium, fiber, protein and vitamins.

Among the medicines used are non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, glucocorticosteroids, painkillers, quinoline drugs, immunosuppressants, cardiac glycosides, and so on.

Cardiomyopathy

Cardiomyopathy is a disorder of the functioning of the heart muscle of unknown or controversial etiology. The insidiousness of the disease is that it often proceeds without visible symptoms, causing the death of 15% of patients with this pathology. Mortality among patients with characteristic symptoms of the disease is about 50%.

Cardiomyopathy often causes sudden death

signs

Patients with cardiomyopathy have the following symptoms:

fast fatiguability;
disability;
dizziness, sometimes fainting;
pallor of the dermis;
tendency to edema;
dry cough;
dyspnea;
increase in heart rate.

It is cardiomyopathy that often causes sudden death in people leading an active lifestyle.

The reasons

The causes of cardiovascular disease, such as cardiomyopathy, are as follows:

poisoning;
alcoholism;
diseases of the endocrine system;
arterial hypertension;
myocardial damage of an infectious nature;
neuromuscular disorders.

Often it is not possible to determine the cause of the development of the disease.

Treatment

Treatment of cardiovascular disease requires lifelong adherence preventive measures aimed at preventing serious complications and death. The patient needs to give up physical activity, bad habits, diet and proper lifestyle. The patient's menu should exclude spicy, smoked, sour, salty foods. Forbidden strong tea, coffee, carbonated sweet water.

Drug therapy includes drugs such as β-adrenoblockers, anticoagulants. Severe pathology requires surgical intervention.

Important! The lack of treatment of cardiomyopathy leads to the development of heart failure, valvular organ dysfunction, embolism, arrhythmias, and sudden cardiac arrest.

It is customary to talk about cardiovascular diseases when a person has any violation of the heart rate or failure of the electrical conduction of the heart. This state called an arrhythmia. The disease may be latent or manifest as palpitations, palpitations, or shortness of breath.

Arrhythmia is accompanied by heart rhythm failures

Symptoms

Signs of arrhythmia depend on the severity of the course of the disease, are as follows:

rapid heartbeat is replaced by a sinking heart, and vice versa;
dizziness;
lack of air;
fainting;
suffocation;
angina attacks.

In patients, the general state of health worsens, the threat of fibrillation or ventricular flutter develops, which often leads to death.

The reasons

The development of pathology is based on factors that provoke morphological, ischemic, inflammatory, infectious and other damage to the tissues of the heart muscle. As a result, the conductivity of the organ is disturbed, blood flow decreases, and a malfunction of the heart develops.

Treatment

To prescribe treatment, the patient must necessarily consult a specialist, undergo full examination. It is necessary to find out whether arrhythmia has developed as an independent pathology or is a secondary complication of any disease.

Treatment methods:

physical therapy - helps to restore metabolic processes, normalize blood flow, improve the condition of the heart muscle;
diet - necessary to saturate the body useful vitamins and minerals;
drug treatment - beta-blockers, blockers of potassium, calcium and sodium channels are prescribed here.

People suffering from various heart pathologies are required to take drugs to prevent complications. it vitamin complexes and sedative drugs that reduce the load and nourish the heart muscle.

Atherosclerosis is a disease characterized by the accumulation of cholesterol in the arteries. This causes blockage of blood vessels, circulatory disorders. In countries where people eat fast food, this problem occupies one of the leading positions among all heart diseases.

Atherosclerosis causes blockage of arteries

signs

For a long time, atherosclerosis does not manifest itself in any way, the first symptoms are noticeable with significant deformation of the vessels, due to bulging of the veins and arteries, the appearance of blood clots and cracks in them. Vessels narrow, which provokes a violation of blood circulation.

Against the background of atherosclerosis, the following pathologies develop:

ischemic stroke;
atherosclerosis of the arteries of the legs, which causes lameness, gangrene of the extremities;
atherosclerosis of the arteries of the kidneys and others.

Important! After suffering an ischemic stroke, the risk of developing a heart attack in a patient increases three times.

The reasons

Atherosclerosis is caused by many causes. Men are more susceptible to pathology than women. It is assumed that this is due to the processes of lipid metabolism. Another risk factor is the age of the patient. Atherosclerosis affects people mainly after 45-55 years. An important role in the development of the disease is played by the genetic factor. People with a hereditary predisposition need to carry out the prevention of cardiovascular diseases - monitor their diet, move more, give up bad habits. The risk group includes women during pregnancy, since at this time the metabolism in the body is disturbed, women move little. It is believed that atherosclerosis is a disease of the wrong way of life. Its appearance is influenced overweight bodies, bad habits, malnutrition, bad ecology.

Treatment

To prevent complications of the disease and normalize the functioning of blood vessels, patients are prescribed treatment with medications. They use statins, LCD sequestrants, drugs nicotinic acid, fibrates, anticoagulants. In addition, exercise therapy and a special diet are prescribed, which implies the rejection of foods that increase the level of cholesterol in the blood.

Growth and scarring of connective fibers in the area of the myocardium, resulting in a violation of the functioning of the heart valves - this is cardiosclerosis. The disease has a focal and diffuse form. In the first case, we are talking about local damage to the myocardium, that is, only its separate area is affected. In the diffuse form, tissue scarring extends to the entire myocardium. Most often this occurs with coronary heart disease.

Cardiosclerosis causes connective tissue hypertrophy

Symptoms

The focal form of cardiosclerosis sometimes has a latent course. With a close location of the lesions to the atriosinus node and areas of the conduction system, serious violations of the functioning of the heart muscle occur, manifested in arrhythmia, chronic fatigue, shortness of breath and other symptoms.

Diffuse cardiosclerosis causes signs of heart failure, such as increased heart rate, fatigue, chest pain, and swelling.

The reasons

The following diseases can serve as the cause of the development of pathology:

myocarditis;
myocardial dystrophy;
infectious lesions of the myocardium;
autoimmune pathologies;
stress.

In addition, provoking factors are atherosclerosis and hypertension.

Treatment

Therapy aimed at eliminating the symptoms of pathology and the prevention of cardiovascular disease, which is carried out in order to prevent complications, helps to cope with cardiosclerosis, to prevent such Negative consequences such as rupture of the wall of an aneurysm of the heart, atrioventricular blockade, paroxysmal tachycardia, etc.

Treatment necessarily includes restriction physical activity, elimination of stress, taking medications. Among the medicines used are diuretics, vasodilators, antiarrhythmic drugs. In especially severe cases, surgery is performed, the installation of a pacemaker.

myocardial infarction

A heart attack is dangerous state caused by blockage coronary artery thrombus. This causes a violation of the circulation of blood in the tissues of the brain and heart. The condition develops against the background of various cardiac vascular pathologies requires immediate hospitalization of the patient. If a medical care provided within the first 2 hours, the prognosis for the patient is often favorable.

A heart attack causes severe chest pain sharp deterioration general well-being

Signs of a heart attack

A heart attack is characterized by pain in the sternum. Sometimes the pain syndrome is so strong that the person cries out. In addition, the pain often spreads to the shoulder, neck, and radiates to the stomach. The patient experiences a feeling of constriction, burning in the chest, numbness of the hands is noted.

Important! A distinctive feature of myocardial infarction from other diseases is the incessant pain at rest and after taking a Nitroglycerin tablet.

The reasons

Factors leading to the development of a heart attack:

age;
transferred small focal heart attacks;
smoking and alcohol;
diabetes;
hypertension;
high cholesterol;
overweight.

The risk of developing a serious condition increases with a combination of the above conditions.

Treatment

The main goal of therapy is the rapid restoration of blood flow in the region of the heart muscle and brain. To do this, use drugs that help the resorption of blood clots, such as thrombolytics, agents based on heparin, acetylsalicylic acid.

Upon admission of the patient to the hospital, angioplasty of the coronary artery is used.

Stroke

A stroke is a sudden disruption of blood circulation in the brain, resulting in the death of nerve cells. The danger of the condition is that the death of brain tissue occurs very quickly, which in many cases ends in death for the patient. Even with the provision of timely assistance, a stroke often ends with a person's disability.

Symptoms

The following signs indicate the development of a stroke:

severe weakness;
a sharp deterioration in the general condition;
numbness of the muscles of the face or limbs (often on one side);
acute headache, nausea;
impaired coordination of movements.

You can recognize a stroke in a person on your own. To do this, ask the patient to smile. If one part of the face remains motionless, it is more often about this condition.

The reasons

Doctors identify the following reasons:

atherosclerosis;
excess body weight;
alcohol, drugs, smoking;
pregnancy;
sedentary lifestyle;
high cholesterol and more.

Treatment

Diagnosis of cardiovascular disease and its treatment are carried out in a hospital in the intensive care unit. During this period, antiplatelet agents, anticoagulants, tissue plasminogen activators are used.

How to prevent this pathology? You can determine the individual risk of developing cardiovascular pathologies using the SCORE scale. A special table allows you to do this.

This technique allows you to determine the level of risk of developing cardiovascular pathologies and severe conditions that develop against their background. To do this, you need to select gender, age, status - smoker or non-smoker. In addition, the table should select the level of blood pressure and the amount of cholesterol in the blood.

The risk is determined according to the color of the cell and the number:

1 - 5% - low risk;
5 - 10% - high;
over 10% is very high.

At high marks, a person should take everything necessary measures to prevent the development of stroke and other dangerous conditions.

Pulmonary embolism

Blockage of the pulmonary artery or its branches by blood clots is called pulmonary embolism. The lumen of the artery may be completely or partially closed. The condition in most cases causes the sudden death of the patient, only in 30% of people the pathology is diagnosed during life.

Signs of thromboembolism

Manifestations of the disease depend on the degree of lung damage:

if more than 50% of the pulmonary vessels are affected, a person develops shock, shortness of breath, pressure drops sharply, the person loses consciousness. This condition often provokes the death of the patient;
thrombosis of 30 - 50% of the vessels causes anxiety, shortness of breath, a drop in blood pressure, cyanosis of the nasolabial triangle, ears, nose, heart palpitations, pain in the sternum;
if less than 30% is affected, symptoms may be absent for some time, then a cough with blood, pain in the sternum, and fever appear.

With a slight thromboembolism, the prognosis for the patient is favorable, the treatment is carried out by medication.

The reasons

Thromboembolism develops against the background of high blood clotting, local slowing of blood flow, which can provoke prolonged lying position, severe heart disease. To the factors causing pathology, include thrombophlebitis, phlebitis, vascular injury.

Thrombus formation in the lung

Treatment

The goals of treatment of pulmonary embolism include saving the life of the patient, preventing the re-development of blockage of blood vessels. Normal patency of veins and arteries is ensured by surgery or medication. To do this, use drugs that dissolve blood clots and drugs that help thin the blood.

Rehabilitation in case of a disease of the cardiovascular system in the form of thromboembolism of the pulmonary vessels is carried out by correcting nutrition and lifestyle, regular examinations, and taking drugs that prevent the formation of blood clots.

Conclusion

The article lists only the most common cardiovascular pathologies. Having knowledge about the symptoms, causes and mechanism of development of a particular disease, many diseases can be prevented. severe conditions to provide timely assistance to the patient. A proper lifestyle, a healthy diet and timely examination with the development of even minor alarming symptoms will help to avoid pathologies.

In the presence of cardiovascular diseases, patients complain of shortness of breath, palpitations, interruptions in the work of the heart, pain in the region of the heart and behind the sternum, swelling, cough,.

Shortness of breath is a frequent and often the main complaint of patients with circulatory failure, its occurrence is due to excessive accumulation of carbon dioxide in the blood and a decrease in oxygen content as a result of congestion in the pulmonary circulation.

In the initial stage of "circulatory failure, the patient only during physical activity. In the case of progression of heart failure, shortness of breath becomes constant and does not disappear at rest.

From shortness of breath, characteristic of cardiac asthma, which most often occur suddenly, at rest or some time after physical exertion or emotional overstrain. They are a sign of acute insufficiency of the left ventricle of the heart and are observed in patients acute infarction myocardium, with heart defects and high blood pressure (BP). During such an attack, patients complain of extreme lack of air. Often, pulmonary edema develops very quickly in them, which is accompanied by strong cough, the appearance of bubbling in the chest, the release of a foamy liquid, pink sputum.

heartbeat- a feeling of strong and frequent, and sometimes irregular contractions of the heart. It usually occurs with frequent heartbeats, but may be felt in individuals without heart rhythm disturbances. In the presence of a pathology of the heart, palpitations can be a sign of functional myocardial insufficiency in patients with diseases such as myocarditis, myocardial infarction, heart defects, etc. Often this unpleasant feeling occurs in patients with cardiac arrhythmia (paroxysmal tachycardia, extrasystole, etc.). However, you need to know that palpitations are not always a direct sign of heart disease. It can also occur due to other reasons, such as hyperfunction thyroid gland, anemia, fever, reflex due to pathology of the gastrointestinal tract and biliary tract, after the use of certain drugs (eufillin, atropine sulfate). Since palpitations are associated with increased excitability of the nervous apparatus that regulates cardiac activity, it can be observed in healthy people with significant physical exertion, excitement, in case of abuse of coffee, alcohol, tobacco. The heartbeat is constant or occurs suddenly in the form of seizures, such as proximal tachycardia.

Often patients complain of a feeling of “interruptions” in the heart, which are accompanied by a feeling of fading, cardiac arrest and are mainly associated with such cardiac arrhythmias as extrasystolic arrhythmia, sino-arterial blockade.

FROM special attention you need to treat patients who complain of pain in the region of the heart and behind the sternum, which is observed during various diseases. It can be caused by a violation of the coronary circulation (most often occurs with the development of angina pectoris or myocardial infarction), diseases of the pericardium, especially acute dry pericarditis; acute myocarditis, cardiac neurosis, aortic lesions. However, you should be aware that often patients complain of "pain in the region of the heart" or "pain in the heart" when the organs and tissues surrounding the heart are affected, in particular the ribs (contusion, fracture, periostitis, tuberculosis), intercostal muscles (myositis), intercostal nerves (neuralgia, neuritis), pleura (pleurisy).

Pain in the heart

The course of various heart diseases is characterized by pain, different character, therefore, when questioning the patient, it is necessary to find out in detail its exact localization, the place of irradiation, the causes and conditions of occurrence (physical or psycho-emotional overstrain, appearance at rest, during sleep), character (prickly, squeezing, burning, feeling of heaviness behind the sternum), duration, from what it passes (from stopping while walking, after taking nitroglycerin, etc.). Pain is often observed due to myocardial ischemia resulting from insufficiency of the coronary circulation. This pain syndrome is called angina pectoris. In the case of angina pectoris, pain is usually localized behind the sternum and (or) in the projection of the heart and radiates under left shoulder blade, neck and left arm. Mostly its character is constricting or burning, its occurrence is associated with physical labor, walking, in particular with lifting up, with excitement. Pain, lasts 10-15 minutes, stops or decreases after taking nitroglycerin.

Unlike the pain that occurs with angina pectoris, the pain that occurs with myocardial infarction is much more intense, prolonged and does not go away after taking nitroglycerin.

In patients with myocarditis, pain is intermittent, of course not intense, dull in nature. Sometimes it gets worse with physical activity. In patients with pericarditis, pain is localized in the middle of the sternum or throughout the heart. It is prickly or shooting in nature, can be long (several days) or appear in the form of seizures. This pain is aggravated by movement, coughing, even pressing with a stethoscope. Pain associated with damage to the aorta (aortalgia) is usually localized behind the sternum, has a constant character and is not marked by irradiation.

Localization of pain at the apex of the heart or more often in the left half of the chest. This pain has a prickly or aching character, it can be prolonged - it may not disappear for hours and days, it is aggravated by excitement, but not during physical exertion, and is accompanied by other manifestations of a general neurosis.

Patients with heart disease may be bothered by coughing, which is caused by stagnation of blood in the pulmonary circulation. In this case, a dry cough is usually noted, sometimes a small amount of sputum is secreted. dry, often hysterical cough observed in the case of an increase in the heart, mainly the left atrium in the presence of an aortic aneurysm.

In most cases, the heart is caused by stagnation of blood in the pulmonary circulation and the facilitated release of erythrocytes from capillaries stretched by blood into the lumen of the alveoli, as well as rupture small vessels bronchi. More often, hemoptysis is observed in patients with stenosis of the left atrioventricular orifice and pulmonary embolism. In the event of a ruptured aortic aneurysm Airways profuse bleeding occurs.

As shortness of breath, it is the most common complaint of patients with heart disease in the stage of decompensation. They appear as a symptom of venous congestion in the systemic circulation and are initially determined only in the afternoon, usually in the evening, on the back of the feet and in the ankle area, and disappear overnight. In case of progression of edematous syndrome and accumulation of fluid in abdominal cavity patients complain of heaviness in the abdomen and an increase in its size. Especially often there is heaviness in the right hypochondrium due to stagnation in the liver and its increase. In connection with circulatory disorders in the abdominal cavity, in addition to these signs, patients may experience poor appetite, nausea, vomiting, bloating, disorders. For the same reason, kidney function is impaired and diuresis decreases.

Headache (cephalgia) may be a manifestation of high blood pressure. In case of complications of hypertension - hypertensive crisis- headache intensifies, accompanied by dizziness, tinnitus, vomiting.

In the presence of heart disease (endocarditis, myocarditis, etc.), patients complain about the body, often to subfebrile figures, but sometimes there may be a high temperature that accompanies infective endocarditis. When asking patients, it is necessary to clarify at what time of the day the body temperature rises, its increase is accompanied by chills, profuse sweating, how long the fever lasts.

In addition to the main ones mentioned above, the most important complaints, patients may report the presence of fatigue, general weakness, as well as decreased performance, irritability, sleep disturbance.