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 research, 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, characterised by severe and recurrent chest discomfort and pain, is caused due to lack of blood supply 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. Complications of atherosclerosis include 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 foetus 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 is another frequently
diagnosed disorder of the circulatory system. In this condition, blood pressure
(systolic and diastolic) 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.
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 provided 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.
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