Circulatory System Diseases and Disorders
Prone to various medical problems, some of the circulatory system disorders are angina, arrhythmia,
atherosclerosis, congenital heart defect, cardiomyopathy, hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, peripheral
vascular system, and rheumatic heart disease.
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 researches, 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 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 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 proceeded 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.