As when we embark on this Healthy Heart 231’s journey, we come across the use of “heart disease”, and “cardiovascular disease” interchangeably in articles, reports and journals. So, we wonder does one different from another? How can we differentiate them? And, we decided to take a closer look at these two.
Heart disease refers to a range of conditions that affect the structure or function of your heart. These conditions include[1][2]:
1. Blood vessel disease, such as coronary artery disease (also known as coronary heart disease).
2. Heart rhythm problems (arrhythmias)
3. Heart defects you’re born with (congenital heart defects)
4. Heart valve disease
5. Disease of the heart muscle
6. Heart infection
Although there are different types of heart disease, the most common among them is Coronary Artery Disease. Therefore, when people talk about “heart disease” they often mean coronary heart disease which is another term for coronary artery disease.
On the other hand, we have “cardiovascular diseases (CVDs)” which sometimes is used along with certain heart health conditions. In fact, cardiovascular diseases include all heart conditions as well as the arteries distribute blood to the brain, legs, and everywhere in between[3]. CVDs are all about diseases that affecting your heart and blood vessels, and these can be[4]:
1. Coronary heart disease. Disease of the blood vessels supplying the heart muscle.
2. Cerebrovascular disease. Disease of the blood vessels supplying the brain and the most commonly known is Stroke.
3. Peripheral arterial disease. Disease of blood vessels supplying the arms and legs.
4. Deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism. A condition when blood clots in the leg veins which can dislodge and move to the heart and lungs.
5. Congenital heart disease. A malformation of the heart structure from birth affecting the normal development and functioning of the heart. A birth defects.
6. Rheumatic heart disease. A damage caused by streptococcal bacteria to the heart muscle and heart valves. It most commonly occurs in childhood, and can lead to death or life-long disability[5].
That's say all heart diseases are cardiovascular diseases, but not all cardiovascular diseases are heart disease. Nonetheless, both diseases have commonality in lifestyle risk factors namely (1) the unhealthy diet; (2) physical inactivity; (3) tobacco use; and (4) excessive alcohol use. In fact, these are the most important lifestyle risk factors for developing coronary heart disease and stroke. The effects from the unhealthy diet and physical inactivity in particularly will show up in individuals as raised blood pressure, raised blood glucose, raised blood cholesterol, and overweight and obesity.
Heart diseases and cardiovascular diseases can be prevented or treated with healthy lifestyle choices. Of course, there are exceptional cases such as heart defects but it should not stop you from practicing a healthy lifestyle. Protect yourself from heart disease and stroke because they are preventable and it is doable,
Sources:
1. Heart disease. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/heart-disease/symptoms-causes/syc-20353118 (Accessed on 4 August 2021)
2. Types of heart disease. https://www.heartandstroke.ca/heart-disease/what-is-heart-disease/types-of-heart-disease(Accessed on 4 August 2021)
3. Heart disease. https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/disease-prevention/cardiovascular-disease/#definition(Accessed on 19 July 2021)
4. Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). 2021. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/cardiovascular-diseases-(cvds)(Accessed on 5 August 2021)
5. Rheumatic heart disease. 2020. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/rheumatic-heart-disease (Accessed on 5 August 2021)
Disclaimer: Healthy Heart 231 information aims to help readers understand heart health, and encourage them adopting a whole food plant-based diet. It does not replace care provided by medical practitioners and other qualified health professionals.
No comments:
Post a Comment