Peripheral Vascular Disease

What is peripheral vascular disease?

Peripheral artery disease (PAD) is a heart condition similar to that of coronary artery disease and carotid artery disease. In PAD, the fatty deposits build up in the inner linings of the artery walls. These blockages restrict the blood flow circulation, mainly in arteries leading to the kidneys, stomach, arms, legs and feet.

In its early stages, a common symptom is cramping, or fatigue in the legs and buttocks during activity. Such cramping subsides when the person stands still. This is called "intermittent claudication." People with PAD often have fatty buildup in the arteries of the heart and brain. Because of this association, most people with PAD have a higher risk of death from heart attack and stroke.

There are two types of these circulation disorders:

Functional peripheral vascular diseases don't have an organic cause. They don't involve defects in blood vessels' structure. They're usually short-term effects related to "spasm" that may come and go. Raynaud's disease is an example. It can be triggered by cold temperatures, emotional stress, working with vibrating machinery or smoking.

Organic peripheral vascular diseases are caused by structural changes in the blood vessels, such as inflammation and tissue damage. Peripheral artery disease is an example. It's caused by fatty buildups in arteries that block normal blood flow.

How is peripheral artery disease diagnosed and treated?

Techniques used to diagnose PAD include a medical history, physical exam, ultrasound, X-ray angiography and magnetic resonance imaging angiography (MRA).

Most people with PAD can be treated with lifestyle changes, medications or both. Lifestyle changes to lower your risk include stopping smoking, diabetes control and blood pressure. Become physically active; eat a low-saturated-fat, low-cholesterol diet.

PAD may require drug treatment, too. Drugs include medicines to help improve walking distance, antiplatelet agents and cholesterol-lowering agents (statins).

Myocarditis

The myocardium is the muscular wall of the heart, or the heart muscle. It contracts to pump blood out of the heart, and then relaxes as the heart refills with returning blood. The myocardium's smooth outer membrane is called the epicardium. Its inner lining is called the endocardium.

Myocarditis is an inflammation of the myocardium. When the heart becomes inflamed, it
Is unable to pump as well because of damage to its cells and swelling (edema). The heart muscle may be damaged even more if the body's immune system sends antibodies to try to fight whatever started the inflammation. Sometimes, these antibodies attack the tissues of the heart instead. If too many heart muscle cells are damaged, the heart muscle becomes weakened. In some cases, this process happens very quickly and results in heart failure or even sudden death.

More often, the heart attempts to heal itself. The heart muscle heals by changing the damaged or dead heart muscle cells into scar tissue. Scar tissue is not like heart muscle tissue because it does not contract and it cannot help the heart to pump. If enough scar tissue forms in the heart, it can lead to congestive heart failure or dilated cardiomyopathy.

Myocarditis is a rare condition. The inflammation of the heart muscle may be caused by a viral, bacterial, or fungal infection. Rheumatic Fever, drug or chemical poisoning or connective tissue diseases, such as lupus or rheumatoid arthritis.

With a mild case of myocarditis, there may be no symptoms at all. You may have a fever, an achy feeling in your chest, and severe fatigue, as if you have a bad cold or flu. Some people have an irregular heartbeat or trouble breathing. Usually, a mild case of myocarditis will go away without any lasting damage.

With any chest pain, please see your doctor.

Heart Disease overview

Heart Disease is one of the world’s largest health problems today. It not only affects the wealthier nations it is also affecting the poorer ones. Heart Disease covers a wide range of health ailments relating specifically to the heart.

There are many theories and ideas that relate to heart disease. One school of thought for the sudden increase in heart disease is the changes within different lifestyles. People are often less active and eat diets high in fats. Takeaway food is abundant today and often people will eat it due to the increased availability. Some takeaway outlets are now helping cater to a healthier lifestyle by offering a variety of healthy dishes such as salads. People are becoming more aware of the risk of heart disease and choosing to change their diets.

Why exercise? Exercise is extremely important in order to avoid heart disease. Exercise helps to keep the heart at its peak performance and is optimum health is easier to maintain. By using a combination of exercise and a balanced diet, the risk of heart disease is greatly decreased.

The term “Cardiovascular Disease” is widely used within today’s society. The term Cardiovascular Disease includes a large number of diseases which directly affect the heart and the blood vessel system. It especially affects the veins and arteries that lead to and from the heart.

Conducted research has suggested that women who suffer with cardiovascular disease usually suffer from forms that affect the blood vessels. While men usually suffer from forms that affect the heart muscle itself. Other known or associated causes of cardiovascular disease include diabetes mellitus, hypertension and hypercholesterolemia.

Heart disease and strokes are other more common cardiovascular diseases. Two independent risk factors that have a major impact for heart diseases plus cardiovascular diseases are high blood pressure and high blood cholesterol.